E.Guigal Cote-Rotie La Turque, La Landonne, La Landonne MMXVI 2016 OWC3 0,75L

E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Turque & La Landonne 2016

The Estate

Founded in 1946 by Étienne Guigal in Ampuis, Maison Guigal has become synonymous with Northern Rhône excellence under three generations of family leadership. Marcel Guigal elevated the domaine to legendary status in the 1960s by creating three iconic single-vineyard Côte-Rôties: La Mouline (1966), La Landonne (1978), and La Turque (1985). These “La-La” wines revolutionized the appellation and today rank among the world’s most sought-after bottles.

With meticulous vineyard management across 67 hectares in Côte-Rôtie and innovative yet traditional winemaking, Guigal produces wines that consistently earn 95+ ratings from critics worldwide. The estate’s extended aging in new oak barrels (up to 42 months) creates wines of extraordinary complexity and longevity, while remaining faithful to the terroir’s unique character.

Côte-Rôtie: The Roasted Slope of Northern Rhône

Côte-Rôtie, meaning “roasted slope,” encompasses steep granite hillsides overlooking the Rhône River just south of Lyon. This ancient appellation, cultivated since Roman times, features dramatic 60-degree slopes where hand-harvesting and traditional terracing remain essential. The schist and mica-rich granite soils, combined with southern exposure, create the distinctive mineral backbone and aromatic intensity that define great Côte-Rôtie.

La Turque occupies 2.5 hectares on the Côte Brune’s steepest sections, with southeast exposure capturing morning sun. The vineyard’s iron-rich schist imparts deep color and structure, while 7% Viognier co-planted according to tradition adds exotic aromatics and silky texture. Its name honors the Turquie family, who cultivated these slopes for generations.

La Landonne, by contrast, lies on the Côte Brune’s north-facing slopes—cooler, more austere, planted exclusively to Syrah. These 2 hectares of 75-year-old vines produce the most powerful, tannic, and age-worthy wine in Guigal’s portfolio. The iron-rich schist here yields dark, concentrated fruit with firm mineral structure and legendary aging capacity.

The 2016 Vintage

The 2016 vintage in Northern Rhône delivered exceptional quality after a challenging growing season. A cool, wet spring delayed budbreak, followed by a warm, dry summer that concentrated flavors without stress. September rains refreshed the vines before an ideal October harvest under sunny skies, allowing perfect phenolic ripeness.

Critics praised 2016 Côte-Rôties for their classical balance: ripe fruit intensity married to fresh acidity and refined tannins. These wines eschew the overripe warmth of previous vintages, instead offering energy, precision, and remarkable aging potential reminiscent of legendary vintages like 1999 and 2010.

Tasting Experience

• La Turque 2016 opens with captivating aromatics: violet, black raspberry, smoked bacon, and white pepper mingling with notes of apricot and orange blossom from the Viognier component. The bouquet evolves with airing to reveal truffle, roasted coffee, and graphite.
• On the palate, La Turque displays remarkable density without heaviness—plush dark cherry and blackberry fruit supported by fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. The Viognier adds exotic texture and floral lift to the mid-palate, creating layers of complexity.
• La Landonne 2016 presents a more austere profile: black olive, cracked pepper, tar, and dark plum dominate, with secondary notes of cured meat, iron, and crushed stone. This is Syrah in its most powerful, mineral-driven expression.
• La Landonne’s structure is formidable—massive concentration, gripping tannins, and electric acidity create a wine that demands cellaring. Dark fruit density coats the palate, finishing with remarkable length marked by graphite, espresso, and persistent black pepper.
• Both wines undergo Guigal’s signature 42-month élevage in 100% new oak, yet the wood integration is seamless. The toasted spice and vanilla notes enhance rather than dominate, testament to exceptional fruit quality and precise cooperage.

Service & Food Pairing

La Turque shows beautifully with 2-3 hours of decanting and can be enjoyed now by those who appreciate youthful Syrah’s exuberance. La Landonne absolutely demands 4-6 hours of aeration or cellaring of at least 5-10 years. Serve both at 16-18°C in large Burgundy or Syrah-specific stems that allow the wines to breathe. Open the bottles at least an hour before decanting to allow initial reduction to blow off.

Exceptional pairings:

• La Turque: Herb-crusted rack of lamb with rosemary jus, duck breast with cherry gastrique, or aged Comté cheese
• La Landonne: Braised beef short ribs, wild boar daube provençale, grilled côte de boeuf with peppercorn crust
• Shared pairing: Pigeon en croûte with foie gras and truffle sauce—a dish worthy of both wines served side-by-side
• Cheese: La Turque with washed-rind Époisses; La Landonne with aged Ossau-Iraty or 36-month Parmigiano-Reggiano

Cellaring & Evolution

This is an investment in patience. La Turque 2016 will develop beautifully over 15-25 years, reaching peak complexity around 2030-2035 when the primary fruit integrates fully with tertiary notes of leather, tobacco, and sous-bois. La Landonne demands even greater patience—expect 20-40 years of evolution, with the wine entering its optimal window around 2035-2045. Both wines will outlive most collectors.

Store bottles horizontally at 12-14°C with 70% humidity in a vibration-free environment. The original wooden case provides excellent protection and enhances collectibility. These are cellar cornerstones that will reward those who wait, revealing the full majesty of Northern Rhône Syrah at maturity.

Collector’s Note: This OWC represents extraordinary value, offering two of Guigal’s three legendary single-vineyard Côte-Rôties from an excellent vintage. La Turque and La Landonne regularly score 96-100 points from critics and appreciate significantly in auction markets. The 2016 vintage combines immediate appeal with multi-decade aging potential, making this set ideal for collectors building vertical tastings or investors seeking blue-chip Rhône wines. With global demand for top Côte-Rôtie consistently exceeding supply, allocation-only wines like these represent both exceptional drinking and sound investment.