2023 René Rostaing Côte-Rôtie La Landonne, Northern Rhone

Entirely crafted from whole clusters, the 2023 Côte-Rôtie La Landonne reveals a complex, deep bouquet of dark berries, violet, tapenade and grapefruit, interwoven with nuances of lead pencil. Medium- to full-bodied, concentrated and structured, it is built around well-balanced, gently stem-inflected tannins that confer lift and tension, extending into a long, mineral finish marked by notes of timut pepper. Precise and seamless, this is a superb rendition of La Landonne.

97+ points The Wine Advocate

Few vineyard names command more respect in the Northern Rhône than La Landonne. Perched on the steep slopes of Côte Rôtie, this legendary site is famed for producing Syrah of immense structure, concentration and longevity, often regarded alongside the greatest wines of the appellation. René Rostaing has become one of its most gifted interpreters, crafting a wine that captures the vineyard's formidable power while preserving the elegance and perfume that define great Côte Rôtie.

The Rostaing story is woven deeply into the history of the region, with vineyards inherited from the iconic domaines of Albert Dervieux and Marius Gentaz helping shape the estate's identity. The superb 2023 vintage delivered fruit of exceptional purity and balance, allowing La Landonne to reveal its full personality without sacrificing freshness or precision. Traditional winemaking and patient élevage ensure the vineyard itself remains the principal voice in the glass.

Deep purple black in colour, the bouquet is profound and intensely layered, revealing blackberry, black cherry and damson intertwined with violet, cracked pepper and smoked herbs. As the wine unfolds, notes of olive tapenade, bacon fat, graphite and exotic spice emerge, building extraordinary complexity. The palate is powerful and beautifully sculpted, delivering concentrated dark fruits framed by firm, finely woven tannins and vibrant acidity. There is immense depth beneath the wine's structure, while the finish stretches effortlessly with waves of savoury spice, floral perfume and crushed rock minerality.

This is a wine built for patience and memorable occasions, pairing magnificently with roast venison, slow braised beef cheeks, herb crusted lamb, wild mushroom dishes or aged Comté. While captivating with extended decanting, La Landonne possesses the pedigree and structure to evolve gracefully for decades.