The 1990 La Turque offers an overwhelming perfume of jammy black-cherries, cassis, toast, and minerals. With its sweet, generous, incredibly harmonious personality, it is an unforgettable wine. With sweet tannin, low acidity, and one of the most velvety-textured, decadently rich palates I have encountered, this fabulous wine has a finish that lasts more than a minute. The 1990 single vineyard Cote Roties, which were released this spring, are the Cote Roties of the vintage. 1990 was not an easy year in this appellation because of the severe drought and heat wave that stressed the vineyards. As I have said previously, 1991 and 1989 are consistently better years for most of the Cote Rotie producers. However, Guigal has turned in exceptional efforts with its three single vineyard wines. Importer: Classic Wines, Boston, MA; Tel. (617) 731-6644

Beautiful and lush. The floral, vanilla and blueberry flavors are distinctive and concentrated; if the oak is dominant now, the fruit is ripe and lively. Try in 1997.--Guigal Cote-Rotie vertical. 300 cases made. -TM