2022 E. Guigal, Cote Rotie, La Landonne

The fabulous 2022 Côte-Rôtie La Landonne unwinds with boatloads of ripe black fruits, graphite, mocha, wood smoke and a pinch of vanilla. Bold and generous, its massive tannic structure will require plenty of patience in the cellar. At this stage, I do not see the 2022 reaching the stratospheric heights of the magical 2020, but if all comes together as it should, the 2022 should prove to be a rock solid La Landonne with a long life ahead.

Extremely spicy, iron filings, graphite and blue steak. Concentrated, huge, dense and brooding. This has a massive tannic structure and it’s dry and savoury, but the alcohol is in check. Extremely introverted, this will take a very long time to come round. Tannins are a bit lacking in elegance this year, but these might be combed out during élevage. Whole-bunch fermented, from lieu-dit La Landonne. At the beginning of its 40 months in new French oak barriques.

The 2022 Cote Rotie La Landonne bursts from the glass with brooding aromas of coffee, oak and toast mingled with notes of blood and iron. Full-bodied, concentrated and ripe—bordering on overripe— it has a rich chassis of structured tannins, a long, linear texture and a vibrant, powerful finish enhanced by notes of tobacco leaves and oak. Rather austere and introverted at this stage, it will require time to mellow and allow the dominant oak notes to integrate fully.

Cask sample. Huge smoky and meaty notes, such power as well. The palate is incredibly dense and intense with smoke, game, gravel, graphite and dark fruits, almost kirsch. The tannins are vertical and layered. The oak is well integrated and well balanced with the tannic core. Such a baby and has an underpinning core of earthy minerality. (AC)