E. Guigal
La Mouline Côte-Rôtie Syrah
A bottle I contributed during a trip to Napa’s Premiere Napa Valley week. This was opened at Torc, alongside a ‘97 Leflaive Les Pucelles, ‘11 Leroy Blagny, ‘89 La Chappelle and two young Napa cabs from Simon Estate. La Mouline is always my favorite due to the amount of co-ferment with Viognier.
Deserving of a 1-2hr decant, this got about an hour open in bottle by the time we got to it. I opened the ‘04 La Turque just a few weeks prior, so I had a reference point to work with. Heady aromatics, as expected…dark potpurri, spice, mesquite and mocha. On the palate, the youthful bacon-fat of Cote Rotie was gone and had channeled the classical tangy barbecue profile alongside black olive, peppered red and black berry fruit, and smoked meat at the finish. Whereas the LaTurque was almost Burgundian in profile (elegant, light), this was somewhere in-between the “bigger” LaLandonne and LaTurque…big, but balanced, likely due to vintage. Aromatics and finish here were standouts. Open now with a quick decant or hold another few years.
A bottle I contributed during a trip to Napa’s Premiere Napa Valley week. This was opened at Torc, alongside a ‘97 Leflaive Les Pucelles, ‘11 Leroy Blagny, ‘89 La Chappelle and two young Napa cabs from Simon Estate. La Mouline is always my favorite due to the amount of co-ferment with Viognier.
Deserving of a 1-2hr decant, this got about an hour open in bottle by the time we got to it. I opened the ‘04 La Turque just a few weeks prior, so I had a reference point to work with. Heady aromatics, as expected…dark potpurri, spice, mesquite and mocha. On the palate, the youthful bacon-fat of Cote Rotie was gone and had channeled the classical tangy barbecue profile alongside black olive, peppered red and black berry fruit, and smoked meat at the finish. Whereas the LaTurque was almost Burgundian in profile (elegant, light), this was somewhere in-between the “bigger” LaLandonne and LaTurque…big, but balanced, likely due to vintage. Aromatics and finish here were standouts. Open now with a quick decant or hold another few years.
A few hours in the decanter served well to reveal what my favorite La La is all about. Finessed, elegant and seductive with complex aromatics of blackberry jam, campfire smoke, exotic spices, bacon fat and violets. It expands on the palate with great intensity, a caressing silky texture and a long and vibrant finish. Still young.
A few hours in the decanter served well to reveal what my favorite La La is all about. Finessed, elegant and seductive with complex aromatics of blackberry jam, campfire smoke, exotic spices, bacon fat and violets. It expands on the palate with great intensity, a caressing silky texture and a long and vibrant finish. Still young.
May 21st, 2022Brooding and rich, the nose on this baby was initially shy. Charred meat, red tapenade in a big round package with fine, prominent tannins that still need some time. Every minute in the glass was even better…but I couldn’t resist. You may want to before you pull the cork 2-3 yrs, or a long decant.
Brooding and rich, the nose on this baby was initially shy. Charred meat, red tapenade in a big round package with fine, prominent tannins that still need some time. Every minute in the glass was even better…but I couldn’t resist. You may want to before you pull the cork 2-3 yrs, or a long decant.
May 21st, 2021Much softer and rounder than the La Landonne
Much softer and rounder than the La Landonne
Feb 11th, 2017Opened slightly oak but settled in nicely. It had been a while since I'd had a La Mouline. Good to be back. Really enjoyed it.
Opened slightly oak but settled in nicely. It had been a while since I'd had a La Mouline. Good to be back. Really enjoyed it.
Jun 13th, 2013Excellent expression. So beautifully balanced
Excellent expression. So beautifully balanced
Oct 25th, 2019