Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis 2018

97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Not scheduled to be on the market until November of 2023, the 2018 Côte Rôtie Chateau D'Ampuis is nevertheless a remarkable Côte Rôtie that readers will love to have in the cellar. Sporting a deep ruby/purple hue as well as awesome Côte Rôtie notes of smoked game, violets, acacia flowers, and both red and black fruits, this beauty is medium to full-bodied, has polished, seamless tannins, and a layered, perfectly balanced mouthfeel. It shows the softer style of the vintage (especially compared to the more structured, tannic 2019) and already offers pleasure, but this will easily evolve for at least two decades. Drink: 2023-2038. (12/15/22)"

97 points/'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "A balanced nose of predominantly sweet meaty barbecue is topped with overripe plums, black olives, hoisin and black peppercorn that induces one's hunger. The palate is deep and dark, marked by the delicacy of fresh plum, black olives, fresh bacon and rosemary. Unrelentingly enticing, with rolling acidity that washes the palate. Alcohol 14.5%. (Dec 2023)"

97 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Flowers, smoke, red fruits, and peppery spice fill the perfume. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, vibrant, energetic, and sweet, as well as fresh, long, and complex. Give it a few years for the remainder of the oak to fully integrate. There might not be a better Cote Rotie for the money produced today. Drink from 2025-2040. (Oct 2022)"

96 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "[$200 list] Glass-staining violet color. Expansive black and blue fruit, licorice, incense and floral qualities on the powerfully scented nose. Smooth and expansive in style, offering palate-coating cherry-vanilla, cassis and blueberry flavors that take on smoky mineral, candied violet and exotic spice accents as the wine opens up. Finishes extremely long, sappy and appealingly sweet, with steadily building tannins and resonating blue fruit, spice and floral notes. Aged for 38 months in new oak barrels. Drink: 2027-2037. (Dec 2022)"

96 points James Suckling: "The very deep, smoky and spicy nose pulls you into this very concentrated, focused and elegant Cote-Rotie, with delicate notes of coconut and pomegranate adding to the very complex picture. Very long, polished finish with delicate sweetness and underplayed power. Drink or hold. (2/4/22)"

95+ points Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate): "Smoky, briary and complex, the 2018 Cote Rotie Chateau d'Ampuis spent 38 months in new oak, yet it still exudes notes of blackberries and blueberries, testament to the wine's ample concentration. It's full-bodied and rich yet silky and long, with hints of mocha and brown sugar appearing on the finish. It's another beautiful vintage of this cuvée, which combines fruit from seven different parcels (three on the Cote Blonde and four on the Cote Brune). Drink: 2022-2040. (Feb 2022)"

94 points Wine Spectator: "This dense, brooding red is packed with smoked meat, boysenberry, dried fig, black tea and charred cedar. Well-built and concentrated, this has formidable tannins that carry the smoky, bacony, savory finish. A complex red still approaching its prime. Drink now through 2030. 200 cases imported. (11/30/22)"

94 points La Revue du Vin de France (2023).