Guigal Cote Rotie La Mouiline Syrah Rhone 2001

 Dark red color. Pungently floral aromas meld smoky red berries, exotic rose petal, dried lavender and magnolia blossom. Dense and extremely sweet, showing an explosive array of red fruit flavors along with exotic floral and sweet tobacco tones and an overlay of smoky bacon and bonfires. A bright mineral tone sharpens the fruit, adding focus and precision to the flavors. The finish builds and deepens but maintains superb elegance and silkiness of texture, finishing on notes of wild red berries and rose oil. (JR) (1/2006)

 A textbook example of the cuvee that possesses a classy, focused, and tight profile, the 2001 Cote Rotie La Mouline gives up plenty of vibrant berry fruits, pepper, herbed crusted game and bacon fat to go with a medium to full-bodied, juicy, fresh and pure profile on the palate. The amount of acid here gives me a slight pause, yet it has solid mid-palate depth, beautiful polished its tannin, and no shortage of length on the finish. Give it 2 to 3 years and drink it over the following decade or more. 95+