2022 René Rostaing Côte-Rôtie La Landonne, Northern Rhone

The 2022 Côte Rôtie La Landonne ratchets everything up a notch, offing a darker, meaty style in its smoked black fruits, raw steak, ground pepper, and graphite notes. It's medium to full-bodied and has ripe, polished tannins and terrific overall balance.

95-97 pts, Jeb Dunnuck, Review Date: 03/2024

Remarkably soft on the palate for La Landonne, it doesn't have the same austere impact at this stage as a more classic vintage. Tannins are soft, ripe and not as intense as usual, but it does have length and ripe black fruit, with a graphite element to the tannins. Acidity is on the low side, as is the alcohol. From parcels planted at different times with an average age of 40 years.

95 pts, Decanter, Review Date: 09/2023

Brooding and complex, the 2022 Côte-Rôtie La Landonne has developed splendidly since I last tasted it from barrel one year ago. Fresh violets, stemmy subtleties, pencil shaving, black cherry and crushed rock notes are all dialed up. A slice of orange rind adds another aromatic layer. Firmly structured by ripe tannins, the 2022 is a singular La Landonne, closing with drive on the nuanced finale. Drink: 2028-2042

95 points Nicolas Greinacher vinous.com 

René Rostaing Côte-Rôtie La Landonne is an extraordinary expression of Northern Rhône Syrah, sourced from the iconic La Landonne vineyard. This revered site, known for its steep slopes and schist soils, produces wines of immense power, complexity, and longevity. Crafted by René Rostaing, one of the region’s most respected winemakers, this wine is a benchmark for Côte-Rôtie, balancing intensity with refined elegance.

In the glass, it presents a deep, almost opaque purple hue with garnet highlights. The nose is complex and captivating, revealing layers of blackberry, blackcurrant, and ripe plum, alongside floral notes of violet and lavender. Savoury hints of smoked meat, black olive, and cracked pepper add depth, while subtle traces of graphite, earth, and oak spice round out the aromatic profile.

On the palate, La Landonne is full-bodied and impeccably structured. Dark fruit flavors—black cherry, blueberry, and mulberry—are beautifully framed by firm yet polished tannins and vibrant acidity. The wine’s minerality, a hallmark of the vineyard’s schist soils, adds a distinct, almost iron-like edge. As the wine unfolds, notes of leather, dried herbs, and dark chocolate emerge, leading to an exceptionally long, savoury finish with lingering spice and crushed rock.

This Côte-Rôtie is a perfect match for grilled lamb, braised short ribs, or roasted duck. It also pairs beautifully with aged cheeses and earthy mushroom dishes. While approachable with extended decanting, this wine truly shines after a few years in the cellar and has the structure to evolve gracefully for 15–25 years.

René Rostaing’s Côte-Rôtie La Landonne is more than just a wine—it’s a testament to the heights Syrah can achieve when world-class terroir meets masterful winemaking.