Côte Rôtie La Landonne, Etienne Guigal 2008

The most successful of the three Cote Roties in 2008, the 2008 Cote Rotie la Landonne is a candidate for the wine of the vintage. Cigar tobacco, pepper, cured meats and abundant dark fruits all give way to a full-bodied, balanced, impressively concentrated wine that has integrated acidity, plenty of fruit and solid ripeness to its tannin. Opting to use 100% stems during the fermentation, the Guigals questioned whether the '08 should see the standard 4 years in barrel, but after continually tasting the wine (this father/son team tastes more frequently - and quickly - than just about any vignerons I know), they opted to keep it in barrel for the full duration. It's absorbed every trace of it's oak elevage and is drinking nicely today.

The 2008 Cote Rotie La Landonne is a remarkable effort in this challenging vintage. Although harder edged than normal, it possesses loads of concentration along with abundant notes of roasted herbs, coffee, charcuterie, grilled meats, Asian soy sauce and black fruits. Medium-bodied and intense with moderate tannin, it should age well for 15 or more years.