the essence of the appellation smokes out from the glass, offering hints of cracked pepper, bacon, clove and leather. it's reasonably full-bodied for côte rôtie, with feral, smoked-meat flavors, ample spice and plenty of the concentrated plummy fruit. tannins are silky, making this approachable now, but likely capable of aging well for at least 10–15 years.
Château d'Ampuis