Cote Rotie La Mouline Guigal 2020 (750ML)

100 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com: “Spring flowers, roasted herbs, graphite, chocolate, and scorched earth intermixed with blackberries define the 2020 Côte Rôtie La Mouline. Made from 89% Syrah and 11% Viognier and aged 42 months in new French oak, it's full-bodied, rich, and textured, with violets and smoked meats emerging with time in the glass. This concentrated, pure, super-rich, and sexy wine has flawless overall balance, ultra-fine tannins, and sensational length. Hide bottles for 5-7 years. Drink 2030-2050.” 05/25

95 Points, Matt Walls, Decanter: “Sticky damson and plum fruit, just a little touch of prune in the mix. Medium-bodied with fresh, fine tannins; quite an ethereal style of La Mouline, with floral hints and plentiful spicy oak among the roses. A compact style of wine for the vintage that suits what this vineyard delivers - good expression of terroir. I would drink this young, though it will no doubt age fairly well. From lieu-dit Côte Blonde and at the beginning of its 40 months in new French oak barriques.” 9/21

93-95 Points, Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: "Dominated by dark notes of espresso, black olive and pumpernickel, the 2020 Cote Rotie La Mouline was missing the vineyard's normally expressive floral aromas on this occasion. Full-bodied and rich, it's an atypically muscular and closed vintage of La Mouline right now. It will be interesting to see how it evolves over the next few years of élevage." 02/22

98 Points, James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com: "Such a concentrated, focused yet bright La Mouline for the vintage. The nose reveals aromas of blackberries, dark plums, violets, undergrowth and black pepper. It's full-bodied with very fine tannins. It's ample, dense and yet so refined. The power is all under control, with the velvety, voluptuous core of dark cherries and berries mingling through the spices in harmony. The refined tannins guide the mid-palate onto a textural, long finish. Try after 2026." 11/24

98 Points, Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous: "Bottled in February 2024, the 2020 Côte-Rôtie La Mouline is a masterpiece. Crushed violet, black cherry, graphite, olive tapenade, crushed rocks and cedar notes race out of the glass. A shot of espresso and minty shadings add further complexity. Stacked with ample flavor concentration and impressive depth, the 2020 hails from the glass with a vivid, energetic lift that races through from start to finish. Moreover, the round, sweet and gently enveloping tannins are remarkably refined and integrated for such a young wine, suggesting that the 2020 won’t require as much time to come around as usual. In short, this is a brilliant La Mouline that Guigal enthusiasts will want to snatch up. (Drink between 2030-2050)" 01/25

96 Points, Kristen Bieler, Wine Spectator: "Winey and brooding, with tremendous concentration to the dark currant, baking chocolate and spicy licorice root flavors. Salty and savory, offering briny olive and roasted herb notes. Tannins hold the grip on the finish, which shows good cut and freshness, with bay leaf and menthol details. Thick, chewy and rich, this needs time to fully unfurl its true potential and let the tannins loosen their grip. Syrah and Viognier. Best from 2026 through 2045. 90 cases imported." 11/24