October 27, 2023 - Northern Rhone Dinner (2012/2005/1998 focus) (Chez Lagragne): Lightly corked yet this had so much rich fruit and meatiness it almost fought off the TCA.
October 27, 2023 - (Mostly) 1998, 2005, 2012 Northern Rhône (Chicago, IL): Corked; clearly a darker-complexioned wine with black fruit.
December 5, 2022 - Nose: smoke, leather, coffee, bacon fat, tar
Notes: absolutely stunning nose and palate, the 98 is much more ready than I expected. With excellent elegance and finesse it is irresistable. Although one can expect slight improvements in the wine with a few more years of cellaring yet I think this is quite decent now already. The amazing espresso and meaty nose that is exclusive to la la la can never be replaced by anything else and this certainly deserve a lot of praising. Out of the three La la la I've always liked the Landonne and Mouline better than the Turque, with this experience in Landonne I'm very much looking forward to the Mouline of the same vintage.
Drink: now+
Rating: 93
November 17, 2022 - Wine starts off astringent and I thought might have some brett. Three hour slow ox then a two hour double decant was not enough. Still improving three hours later. paired with fillet and pan roasted potatoes. Nose of dark fruit, Sous bois, mushrooms, etc. Palate is very deep and long… Very powerful.
Great wine… Needs a lot of time. Suggest at least a four hour decant.
November 13, 2022 - Decanted for four hours before service - eight might have been better. Significant sediment filtered during the decant. In the glass, auburn-tinted pink at the rim, shading to dark, clear raspberry-maroon at the core. On the nose, raspberries, briny olives, and high-toned cedar. On the palate, beef blood, olive tapenade, mint, and kirsch weaving in and out of the spotlight, with a loose, open attack that quickly becomes structured and firm, relenting only slightly on the long, complex finish. Not a tannic monster by any means, and the raw materials are there, but this clearly needs more time.
November 11, 2022 - Steve P's btl at our terrific Old Guy's Lunch at the Kenwood in Minneapolis. This was my red of the day! Steve double-decanted at home & removed cork again on arrival. Waffing aromas of; bacon, dark fruit, spice & sous-bois. Lifted medium-full mouthfeel with lavish dark fruit, mineral, meat, licorice and many other harmonics beyond by descriptor capabilities. Seems close or at peak but I don't drink much aged Cote-Rotie. Thanks Steve! 96+
August 20, 2022 - Decanted for a good hour and indeed well needed.
The wine is 24 years young! Much like as expected frankly but very much a magnificent wine. A future perfect wine for sure once it ages a few more years much like its cousins from the 80s.
The first nose on this was a bit new worldish, with a richness of spice. But once it blossomed in the decanted it was the masterclass that a La La delivers. Smoky, roast meat, rich fruit, impressive complexity in the nose frankly and this carried on to the palate. Bright and full of energy, approachable though and with a very welcoming feel. Granted still n the fruit and needs a bit more to show of a secondary side ( that will make it perfect ) but a superb 97 from us still. An experience as always.
April 6, 2022 - Youthful, but approachable, the spicy, smoky, earthy, wild cherry and red plum, with hints of blackberry nose is there with a bit of effort. Full-bodied, fresh, concentrated, smoky and powerful, there is a solid tannic structure, but the tannins are as ripe as the fruit. 2 hours of air is about right, or wait another 5-10 more years.
February 13, 2022 - This is a fantastic wine with the unbelievable complexity and ever changing aroma profile as the big highlights. Especially the nose was to die for and easily on a 98/99 pts level. Points deducted as it was a touch coarse and uninspiring towards the finish. This is a masculine Syrah, less sexy than the La Mouline, my favorite. But still this is great. 96+ pts.
TN: Hyper intense, expressive nose, jumping out of the glass with loads of bacon and meaty notes, ripe dark cherries, strawberries from fresh to liqour, herbs, tobacco, truffles, olives. Every new nose reveals new nuances. Every bit as layered on the palate with the same potpourri of fruit, earthy, herbal and meaty aromas. Great on the attack and through the mid palate but with a slightly uninspiring finish. In La Landonne fashion, this is quite structured but with a wall of very round and ripe tannins, great acidity, a creamy texture, beautiful lightness and a good balance.
Decanting: Not decanted, followed over several hours. At first it was a bit wild but it settled quickly. Maybe a long decanting could have helped to make it even smoother and open it up even more.
December 19, 2021 - Double decanted two hours before dinner. Deep garnet core with no bricking. One sniff, and you realize you’re not in Bordeaux anymore! Notes of grilled game, spice box, bacon fat, campfire, ripe red fruits and violets. Medium bodied, with a round texture, great depth and balance, good delineation, and a long and savory finish.