All wines
E. Guigal
Côte-Rôtie La Mouline
2012
4.7
Region
France › Rhône › Northern Rhône › Côte-Rôtie › Côte-Rôtie AOC
Type
red · still
Grapes
Syrah, Viognier
Alcohol
13.5%
Volume
750 mL
Tasting Notes(1)
4.7
Rating such complex wines in a row can be a challenge due to their depth and evolving nature.
This particular bottle starts with an animal-driven first nose, rich in earthy and smoky notes. As it opens up, it unveils additional layers that charm with dried fruits, meat, dust, chocolate, spices, and balsamic notes.
The tannins are a bit drying, yet they are superbly integrated, adding to the wine's structure. The palate is dynamic and charged, leading to a long, flavourful aftertaste. Although not heavily fruit-forward, there are still fruit notes present in the aftertaste, intriguingly mixed with ya'an cha and some iron and pencil lead nuances. The wine is perfectly balanced and continues to evolve, showcasing its intricate and sophisticated profile.
About
La Mouline from Côte Blonde combines 89% Syrah and 11% Viognier, hailing from vines aged over 75 years. The vineyard, reminiscent of a Roman amphitheatre with its terraced structure, is rooted in gneiss featuring lightly colored silicone soil and limestone loess. In the vinification process, thermoregulated stainless steel tanks are employed, along with traditional pumping over techniques. The blend undergoes alcoholic fermentation and a four-week maceration period. This is followed by a significant maturation period of 42 months in new oak barrels.
