June 21, 2023 - {Tasted with SO, MB, DE, LT; not decanted} Complex classy old-style Cote Rotie with the length, elegance and power of La Landonne site; leathery, cherries, garrigue, some bacon fat, very complete wine. Held up well over several hours. Really really good and an excellent food wine now. Loved it. Mature and ready to drink but will hold at least 5 years if stored as well as this bottle.
Just outshone in this flight with the 1996 Clape Cornas (96) and 2008 Guigal La Turque (95) but am not damning this wine with faint praise, indeed the opposite.
April 26, 2023 - N Rhone Chez R: This was great and a wine one could happily spend an evening contemplating. On the nose - red fruits, some depth. On the palate, savoury, just a hint of butyric acid.
March 28, 2023 - Tasted blind. A somewhat masculine wine especially for Delas. Black pepper, hung meat, somewhat austere finish.
December 10, 2022 - Tasted blind, not decanted but would recommend a double-decant. Aging notes of tobacco, leather and earth, fresh herbs, bacon fat and initially more red, but with time clearly dark berry fruit. The palate was juicy and dense with great level of integration and amazing tension. This is still an intense, powerful and polished that will drink amazingly for many years.
August 9, 2022 - This is gorgeous to drink today, with all of its earthy, vibrant, peppery, smoky, red fruits, wet heart, and crushed rock nuances. With good concentration, vibrancy, and sweetness to the cherries on the nose and palate, no decanting is needed, just pop, pour and enjoy. Drink from 2022-2032.
September 14, 2021 - Decanted briefly. This is showing beautifully with mature tannins and perfect integration of the dark fruit, acid, earth, and sous bois. My last of three bottles and there's no reason to wait although it will still be gorgeous on its 25th birthday.
January 24, 2021 - Outstanding condition. Massive depth of fruit on nose and palate with meat and licorice. This is a wine of the highest calibre with the sweet and savoury but not over ripe Shiraz fruit screaming it’s terroir and purity of Shiraz at its best. It appears to have the capacity to age gracefully for Another 20 years This is what a massive European Shiraz c an do. Huge On fruit and complexity but elegant to a tee.
December 15, 2020 - Fully developed, soft, cherry, kirsch and red plum wine. Medium-bodied, elegant and fresh, this is clearly ready to go.
September 20, 2020 - Outstanding wine. Layered and complex, harmonious. Savory earthy elements.
February 15, 2019 - Decanted and served. Well-integrated with bright acid, autumn leaves, dried fruit and herbs on the palate and medium finish of sweet acid and fruit peel. Showing beautifully and it's hard to see how it could get any better.