The extraordinary 1998 Cote Rotie Chateau d'Ampuis is more structured, powerful, and concentrated than the 1997. My ratings for the component parts ranged from a low of 90-92 for La Grande Plantee, to a high of 94-96 for La Pommiere and Pavillon Rouge. All revealed huge colours, earthy, smoky noses with bacon fat and black currants, and various degrees of tannin. This is unquestionably a vintage for patient connoisseurs as it requires cellaring. It is dense, chewy, and muscular. This wine will be at its finest between 2007-2020. 92-95/100 Robert Parker
Philippe Guigal was born in France not far from Ampuis, in Vienne, on January 23, 1975. At the early age of 6, he was inspired by his grandfather and father who worked together. Throughout his childhood he often joined them in the cellars and frequently traveled to visit the vineyards in the Rhone Valley. In 1992, he started his studies in organic chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Lyon and five years later he obtained his oenologist degree from the University of Burgundy.
