The 2010 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Turque is a prestigious red wine from the Northern Rhône, one of Maison E. Guigal's three most famous single-vineyard "La-La-La" series. This vintage is widely regarded as a perfect year.
Wine Profile
- Grape Varieties: Approximately 93% Syrah and 7% Viognier, sourced from vines approximately 30 years old.
- Terroir: From the extremely steep schist terraces of Côte Brune.
- Aging: Aged for up to 42 months in 100% new French oak barrels.
- Alcohol Content: 13% - 13.5% ABV.
Tasting Note
- Flavor profile: Deep-bodied, grand in structure, and masculine. Aromas include blackcurrant, black cherry, blackberry, smoked meat, spices, black truffle, graphite, and a hint of floral (violet); the palate is concentrated with silky yet firm tannins and an exceptionally long finish.
- Aroma: A rich tapestry of layered fruit aromas including blackcurrant, blackberry, and Morello black cherry, accompanied by complex notes of smoked meat, aged beef, chocolate, toasted earth, spice box, cigar tobacco, and wild floral (violet).
- Palmistry: Full-bodied and luxuriously rich, with exceptionally refined and structured tannins, remarkable depth, and a long, impressive finish reminiscent of a blockbuster. Compared to the softer La Mouline, La Turque exhibits a more exotic and powerful character.
- Best food and wine pairings: Pairs well with roasted lamb chops, game (such as venison and quail), fatty red meat dishes, or aged cheeses.
Optimal Drinking Window and Storage Recommendations
- Drinking Window: The 2010 vintage is exceptional, with a robust structure that requires extensive aging. Wine critics generally recommend aging until after 2020, or allowing it to decanter for several hours before opening to fully reveal its complexity.
- Current Status and Potential: This wine possesses remarkable aging potential of 20-30 years or more. It is currently in its drinking window, but long decanting is still recommended to allow its powerful structure to fully open.
Ratings
- Robert Parker (The Wine Advocate): 100 points
- Jeb Dunnuck: 100 points
- Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): 100 points
- Wine Spectator: 99 points
