Côte Rôtie La Landonne, Delas Frères 2015

The 2015 Côte Rôtie La Landonne from Delas is a seamless, gorgeously balanced Côte Rôtie that reminds me of the 2011. Offering classic notes of smoked meats, currants, graphite, chocolate and roasted herbs, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, plenty of polished tannins, and perfect balance. It's surprisingly accessible, yet has beautiful density and depth of fruit. It's more approachable than most vintages, yet will evolve for just as long given its purity, harmony and balance. This cuvée comes all from the schist soils of the La Landonne lieu-dit, in the Côte Brune side of the appellation, was completely destemmed and spent 18 months in 40% new French oak.

With only about 100 cases produced each year, finding a bottle of the 2015 Cote Rotie la Landonne will prove much harder than drinking it. It's indeed a terrific wine but a bit closed and cedary at this particular moment, the 40% new oak standing out on the nose. But this cuvée has a long track record of excellence, so expect it to blossom with time in the cellar. It's concentrated and powerful but amazingly light on its feet, with firm, ample tannins that manage to convey a sense of ripeness as well. Tar, black olive, cassis and espresso elements all speak to the grape (100% Syrah) and the single lieu-dit origin. Drink Date 2025 - 2040

There are two Côte Rôties and the top cuvée is the utterly sensational 2015 Côte Rôtie La Landonne, which should be a candidate for perfection when it’s released. Coming all from the La Landonne lieu-dit and made from 100% Syrah that will see 18 months in 40% new French oak, it offers a huge, layered and ripe style, as well as notes of blueberries, blackberries, crushed violets, graphite and minerality. It has sweet tannin, but there are plenty of them, so it’s not for those looking for instant gratification.