The 1999 Cote Rotie Chateau d'Ampuis has put on additional weight, and is the most awesome effort Guigal has produced under this brand name. All of the component parts were tasted, several of which bordered on perfection, particularly La Pommiere, Pavillon Rouge, and Le Moulin. The sumptuous 1999 boasts a spectacularly sweet perfume of jammy blackberry and cassis fruit intertwined with smoke, tapenade, and new saddle leather notes. It is unctuously-textured, explosively rich, and amazingly well-d...

Bright medium ruby. Knockout liqueur-like nose combines black raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, black cherry and licorice, with just a suggestion of surmaturite. Lush, silky and seamless on the palate, with a deep flavor of dark chocolate. Offers great volume without any excess weight. Powerful but not hot. Finishes with superb length and richness. The best vintage yet for this bottling.

Community Tasting Notes (average 93.3 pts. and median of 94 pts. in 43 notes)

Rating: (92-95) - As reviewed in Wine Advocate # 133 on Feb-01

Rating: 92/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator on 12/15/03