2011 Guigal - Cote Rotie La Turque (750ml)
La Turque is the youngest of Guigal’s three legendary single-vineyard Côte-Rôties, the “La La’s.” Its first vintage was 1985, and it scored 100 points right out of the gate. It comes from a small, steep parcel on the Côte Brune, where darker, iron-rich soils give a more powerful, structured wine than its sister, La Mouline. It’s mostly Syrah with a few percent of Viognier for lift, and it ages more than three years in 100% new French oak. Jeb Dunnuck calls the 2011 “flawlessly balanced, incredibly complex.” Expect blackcurrant, blackberry, plum and fig, with smoked and cured meats, black olive, truffle, cocoa, pepper and Asian spice. The palate is full and layered, with firm tannins and a long, smoky finish. Now starting to show its first signs of maturity, it can age for decades. Decant before pouring with game, lamb or a fine aged steak.