« The treasures are born in the very heart of the most legendary of the illustrious plots of the Maison Guigal. These precious bottles are as coveted as they are rare and have benefited from extreme care at every stage of the process, from the vine to the cellars. They are the sole incarnation of the inspiration and inheritance of centuries of viticulture in an exceptional terroir »
Côte-Rôtie

"Château d'Ampuis"

Produced from seven of the most exceptional plots of the domain, Château d’Ampuis is a classy wine with toasty aromas of black fruit. Its tannic structure and elegance contribute to its ageing potential.

Soil type

7 exceptional terroirs : Le Clos "Côte Blonde", La Garde "Côte Blonde", La Grande Plantée "Côte Blonde", La Pommière "Côte Brune", Le Pavillon Rouge "Côte Brune". Le Moulin "Côte Brune" La Viria "Côte Brune"

Grape variety

Syrah 93%, Viognier 7%.

Average age of vines

50 years Vines planted in the 16th century.

Winemaking

Closed stainless steel tanks. Temperature controlled alcoholic fermentation, 4 week maceration..

Ageing

38 months in new oak.

Average yield

37 Hl/Hectare.

Average annual production

Around 30.000 bottles.

Tasting

Eye : Deep dark colour with mauve tints.
Nose : Spices, black fruits and delicate oak aromas. A dense, expressive and intense nose.
Palate : A tannic and racy wine. Aromas of prunes, blackberry and vanilla. Powerful, concentrated and structured palate.
Overall : A wine from a tannic and muscular vintage due to the hot climate. Solid tannins, well rounded by long oak ageing.
Imprimer

Vintages 2016

The Wine Advocate

Score : (92 - 94)

The 2016 Cote Rotie Chateau d'Ampuis was slated to be bottled after the 2019 harvest. It's much more open than the 2015 and lighter in weight as well. It's medium to full-bodied, with cedary accents to the crisp red-berry fruit flavors and ripe, silky tannins on the long finish. It should be approachable relatively young and drink well for 10-15 years or more. Joe Czerwinski

 

Wine Spectator

Score : 95

This lovely version throws off some pretty stylish aromas of incense, black tea and juniper, followed by a focused core of steeped cherry and plum fruit. Subtle mineral and savory details imbue the finish, which offers a mix of velvet and iron elements. Best from 2022 through 2038. 175 cases imported. James Molesworth

 

Jeb Dunnuck

Score : 96

Moving to the top Côte Rôties, the 2016 Côte Rôtie Chateau D'Ampuis comes from a blend of top sites (7 different lieux-dits) and sees the same care and élevage as the La Las. Revealing a ruby/purple hue as well as a stunning nose of black raspberry and cassis interwoven with notes of bacon fat, spring flowers, violets, and smoked game, this beauty hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless texture, and gorgeous overall balance. The tannins are polished, and it has wonderful sweetness of fruit as well as considerable elegance. A classic 2016 that does everything right, it cedes very little, if anything, to the more expensive single vineyard releases. Readers that love classic Côte Rôtie should buy this by the case. Give bottles 4-5 years and enjoy over the following 15+. Jeb Dunnuck

 

Vinous

Score : 95

Extremely dark ruby. Powerful, mineral-accented cherry and dark fruit preserve, exotic spice, licorice and incense aromas show sharp delineation and pick up hints of candied flowers and olive with aeration. Sweet, seamless and broad on the palate, offering intense boysenberry, cherry liqueur, fruitcake and floral pastille flavors that slowly tighten up on the back half. Repeats the blue fruit note on an impressively persistent, spice-tinged finish that features sneaky tannins and an appealingly sweet cola flourish. Josh Raynolds

Consumption

A boire/à garder

Serving temperature

16°C to 18°C.

Ageing potential

20 years

Food and wine matching

Game, red meat and cheese.

The cooperage

of the domain

Producing

exceptional wines