E. Guigal Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde 2018 – 750ml Breakthru

95pts Jeb Dunnuck

I suspect the 2018 Côte Rôtie Brune Et Blonde will be up there with the top vintages of this cuvée, and it shows how strong 2018 was for Côte Rôtie. Beautiful cassis, vanilla bean, spring flowers, and subtle oak nuances give way to a full-bodied beauty that has both power and finesse. I love the tannin quality here, and while it’s going to be accessible in its youth, it’s also going to age gracefully on its purity and balance.
Barrel Sample: 92-95

95pts James Suckling

All of the classic Cote-Rotie aromas (leather, smoked bacon, spices and black cherry) pour from the glass of this rich and fleshy wine. Very silky texture, in spite of the generous, fine tannins, which build beautifully at the long, complete finish. Drink or hold.

93pts Wine Spectator

This pushes lots of alder, incense and singed tobacco notes to the fore, with commensurate cherry and red currant paste flavors following behind that, finishing with perfume and red tea accents. This is not shy with its oak treatment and very nicely done. Best from 2022.

91pts Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

While the 2018 Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde comes across as being slightly less complex than the 2017, it’s also fruitier and more overtly charming. Cherries and berries abound in this supple, medium to full-bodied effort that finishes long and silky.

Winemaker Notes

Guigal is synonymous with the Côte-Rôtie area, for bringing this great wine region to prominence, and for owning three times as much land as next largest land-owner, vinifiying 1/3 of the total appellation, and unquestionably holding the finest sites in this tiny, special area. The incredible Syrah from this area, co-fermented with a touch of Viognier, has tremendously balanced concentration, depth and finesse.