2016 Côte-Rôtie La Turque Côte-Brune Guigal

Not yet bottled, the 2016 Côte Rôtie La Turque was tight and closed on this occasion, yet its potential is undeniable. Vivid cassis and black fruits intermixed with hints of licorice, cured meats, and graphite all give way to a powerful, full- bodied 2016 that has the vintage's elegance and purity paired with plenty of power. With lots of tannins, yet more than enough fruit, it's another wine that won't hit maturity for another decade, and it will keep for 30+ years.

Inky magenta. Candied cherry, blackcurrant, exotic spices, violet oil and a hint of olive on the powerfully scented nose. Velvety, seamless and alluringly sweet, offering palate-staining, mineral-laced black/blue fruit preserve, floral pastille, smoky bacon and spicecake flavors that open up steadily on the back half. Displays sharp delineation and a resonating floral note on a strikingly long finish that's framed by plush, rounded tannins.

Loaded with exotic perfumes of spring flowers and ripe berries, the 2016 Cote Rotie La Turque looks more like the wine I first tasted back in 2017. Medium to full-bodied, it's exquisitely silky and elegant from start to incredibly long finish; while there is ample concentration and a fine, lacy framework of tannins to support the fruit, the tannins virtually melt away into the background, leaving behind lingering notes of salted licorice and mocha. Approachable now, it should drink well for at least two decades.