The 1996 Cote Rotie La Landonne was herbaceous early in life, but is now revealing a black olive/tapenade, melted asphalt character in its smoky, earthy, animal, blackberry, leathery fruit. A masculine, full-bodied offering, with more tannin, it will be drinkable relatively soon. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2018.
93 points – Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #133, Feb 2001)

The 1996 Cote Rotie La Landonne is a wine with tremendous intensity and tannin, as well as a pronounced roasted herb, smoked meat, and Asian spice-scented nose with tell-tale black fruits, melted tar, and truffle notions in the background. Rich, powerful, and massive, this effort will require 3-4 years of cellaring, and will last for two decades. Drink 2003-2020.
95-96 points – Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #125, Oct 1999)

The 1996 Cote Rotie La Landonne was herbaceous early in life, but is now revealing a black olive/tapenade, melted asphalt character in its smoky, earthy, animal, blackberry, leathery fruit. A masculine, full-bodied offering, with more tannin, it will be drinkable relatively soon. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2018. Importer: Fred Ek, Ex Cellars Wine Agencies, Solvang, CA; tel. (805) 686-9153

Very good deep ruby-red. Crystallized red fruits, woodsmoke, leather, game and iron on the nose. Sweet, round and fat, with wonderful fruit and texture for the year. Spicy and gamey in the middle palate. This has a serious tannic structure for '96 but is also far less forbidding today than the La Landonne '95.

Pure northern Rhône Syrah nose with black pepper and satin texture. Amazingly mellow now. Really hedonistic and glorious. (JR)