2018 E. Guigal, Cote Rotie, La Turque

Why We're Buying

The 2018 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Turque defies easy classification. On the one hand, it’s a gargantuan syrah. It’s stacked to the brim with layers of dark fruit, cherry liqueur, incense, espresso, spice, and even black truffle. On the other hand, it’s ethereal and elegant, gliding across the palate like Apolo Anton Ohno. The flawless balancing act combined with the estate’s signature concentration and richness makes 2018 La Turque a prime candidate for extensive aging. That balancing act underscores La Turque’s position midway between the other La Las. It’s darker and richer than La Mouline but doesn’t have the same intensity or tannic qualities of La Landonne. Instead, La Turque has won over critics and connoisseurs alike with its expressiveness, complexity, and balance. As Wine Advocate’s Joe Czerwinski put it in his review of the 2018 vintage, “Does the scale go higher than 100?” The Final Sip: 2018 La Turque does its best impression of Lady Justice by balancing richness and concentration with grace and elegance.

Critics Scores