The Guigal Estate was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal in Ampuis, a small ancient village and cradle of the Cote-Rotie appellation. It shelters a unique vineyard where the vines and the wines have been famous for 2,400 years. Arriving in the region in 1924 at the age of 14, Etienne began his career at Vidal-Fleury, participating in its development and working his way up to the position of cellar-master before leaving to establish his own company. He has vinified 67 harvests in Cote-Rotie.

In 1961, although still very young, Marcel Guigal took over management of the establishment from his father who was stricken suddenly with total blindness. In 1973, his wife Bernadette joined him and they worked together to develop the family business. In 1975, their son Philippe was born and is today the estate’s winemaker. With his wife Eve, he represents the third generation to continue the family business, in the service of the great wines of the Rhone Valley.

Their hard work and perseverance enabled them to purchase the Vidal-Fleury Establishment in the mid ‘80s and in 1995, they acquired the famous Chateau d’Ampuis, an ancient fort built in the 12th century, later repurposed into a Renaissance chateau during the 16th century. In a state of neglect and terrible disrepair, Guigal has taken on a colossal renovation, spanning nearly 11 years with over 100 people working on the project.

The Chateau d’Ampuis has become the headquarters of the Guigal Estate while the offices and the cellars remain in the ancient small village of Ampuis. While their vineyards span the length and breadth of what the Rhone Valley offers, the heart of the winery’s production is still Cote-Rotie, whose ultimate expression can be found in Guigal’s most famous releases: La Landonne, La Turque, and La Mouline.

This wine is named for the historic Chateau d’Ampuis estate which the Guigal family acquired in 1995. It is produced from 7 exceptional terroirs where vine age averages 50 years, showcasing the best that Cote-Rotie has to offer. The wine is a blend of 93% Syrah and 7% Viognier, aged for 38 months in new oak.

The 2018 Guigal Cote Rotie Chateau d'Ampuis is a highly regarded Syrah from the Northern Rhone region of France. This red wine, produced by Guigal, boasts an impressive alcohol content of 14.5% and is sealed with a cork closure. The wine has garnered significant attention from various wine reviewers, earning high scores and praise across the board.

Jeb Dunnuck awarded the wine a stellar 97 points, noting its deep ruby/purple hue and describing it as "a remarkable Côte Rôtie that readers will love to have in the cellar." He highlighted the wine's aromas of smoked game, violets, acacia flowers, and both red and black fruits. Dunnuck also praised its medium to full-bodied nature, polished and seamless tannins, and perfectly balanced mouthfeel. He emphasized that while it offers pleasure now, it will evolve beautifully for at least two decades.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave the wine 95 points, commending its smoky, briary, and complex profile. The wine, which spent 38 months in new oak, exudes notes of blackberries and blueberries, indicating its ample concentration. The review mentioned its full-bodied and rich nature, with silky and long finish that hints at mocha and brown sugar. The Advocate praised the wine's blend of fruit from seven different parcels, calling it "another beautiful vintage of this cuvée."

James Suckling also rated the wine highly, with a score of 96 points. He described the nose as "very deep, smoky and spicy," leading to a concentrated, focused, and elegant palate. Suckling noted delicate notes of coconut and pomegranate, as well as a very long, polished finish with delicate sweetness and underplayed power.

Wine Spectator provided a 94-point review, describing the wine as "dense, brooding," and packed with flavors of smoked meat, boysenberry, dried fig, black tea, and charred cedar. The review highlighted its formidable tannins and smoky, savory finish, suggesting it is still approaching its prime and can be enjoyed now through 2030.

Vinous also gave the wine a 96-point score, noting its "glass-staining violet color" and expansive black and blue fruit, licorice, incense, and floral qualities. The review praised the wine's smooth and expansive style, with palate-coating cherry-vanilla, cassis, and blueberry flavors. Vinous highlighted the wine's extremely long, sappy, and appealingly sweet finish, with steadily building tannins and resonating blue fruit, spice, and floral notes.

Overall, the 2018 Guigal Cote Rotie Chateau d'Ampuis is a complex, well-structured wine with high praise from various reviewers. Its rich and concentrated profile, along with its potential for aging, makes it a standout choice for enthusiasts and collectors alike.