Delas : La Landonne 2020

Juniper and warm herbal notes behind berry fruits on a fresh nose. Rounded and juicy on the palate, this is a ripe, well-shaped wine with fine tannins, a good sense of energy and true focus. A slick of ripe, fine tannin in reserve gives this some ageing potential. Fermented in open-top concrete tanks for 20 days, then matured in new and one-year-old barrels for 14 months.

A very rich, suave and refined Côte-Rôtie that should impress Burgundy fans as much as friends of the Rhône, and is just beginning what should be a very long life. Integrated deep black fruit aromas, silky tannins and stony minerality. Excellent potential. Matured for 18-plus months in barrel, roughly a quarter of which were new. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.

Tasted pre-bottling. A deep nose of tobacco and dark fruits, very elegant; on the palate, creamy, elegant, caressing tannins; the finish shows exquisite freshness despite the fine concentration. Great substance. Huge potential.

This singular expression of pure Syrah exudes a stunning interplay of power, beauty, and elegance. Immediate sappy and mineral-laden aromas weave through black plum, boysenberry, violets, lavender, and fresh vanilla, layered with savory herbs and a hint of meatiness. The palate is textured and silky, with tannins that are well integrated, framing touches of mushroom and iodine. A satin-like texture develops with aeration, demonstrating that this wine is built to age gracefully well through 2040+.