The nose has a complex array of fine-ground eastern spices, strong cardamom, fine dark chocolate, ripe black cherry and plums. There's even some liquorice. It has a neatly composed and elegant feel on the palate; it really flows long, rippling with spicy flavors and a smooth, dense and creamy finish.

The 2012 Côte Rôtie Château d’Ampuis is a bigger, richer wine that offers full-bodied richness and a broad, expansive style on the palate. Black raspberries, toasted spices, cured meats and licorice all emerge from this incredibly sexy, complex and nuanced Côte Rôtie, and my notes finish with “wish I could drink a glass.”

Layers of mocha, sweet spice and leather integrate seamlessly into luscious black cherry and fig on the palate of this bold, deeply concentrated wine. It’s sumptuous, with a kaleidoscope of smoky mineral complexities and a backbone that’s peppery and fresh. The long finish is framed by sweet, silken tannins. *Editors’ Choice*

Powerful, deeply pitched aromas of singed plum, blackberry, licorice pastille and Indian spices, with an accent of candied flowers. Supple, broad and sweet , displaying intense black and blue fruit, licorice and cracked pepper flavors. The floral element comes back strong on the finish, which is firmed by smooth, slow-building tannins. Shows the power of the vintage to full effect but comes off as surprisingly energetic and fresh.

Opaque ruby. Mineral-tinged aromas of blackberry, cherry liqueur, licorice and violet, plus an exotic Indian spice nuance. At once weighty and energetic, offering sappy black and blue fruit flavors and hints of candied flowers, smoky minerals and spicecake. Smoothly blends power and vivacity, finishing pure, spicy and long, with repeating spiciness and smooth tannins. This bottling is steadily moving closer, quality-wise, to Gilgal's La La wines, but the price has yet to reflect that.