2016 Cote Rotie La Landonne

The 2016 Côte Rôtie La Landonne is another forward, charming, balanced beauty. Blackberries, violets, camphor, and hints of acacia flowers all emerge from this impressively balanced Côte Rôtie. As with the 2017, there's a forward, approachable style here, but it's seamless, elegant, and long. Both these wines are much more elegant and forward than previous vintages. Owned by the Louis Roederer/Deutz Champagne firm, Delas Frères is another largely negotiate estate that is fashioning brilliant wines from throughout the Rhône Valley. The incredible quality has been led by Burgundian Jacques Grange, who joined Delas Frères in 1997, and he’s assisted by the talented Claire Darnaud. The 2015s, reviewed last year, are some of the finest wines ever from this estate (same league as the 2009s and 2010s). They’ve done a fine job in 2016, with the wines showing more elegant characters, missing the density or structure of a top year, yet offering balanced, very drinkable profiles. The 2017s should surpass the 2016s, but also have upfront charming characters. It’s worth noting that this estate has seen a progression in style since 2005, where the wines were more extracted and oaky, to the 2016s and 2017s today, which could be seen as more mid-weight and elegant.

Unlike most vintages (which require cellaring), the 2016 Cote Rotie La Landonne is already drinking well. It is perfumed and floral, with violets, herbs, pepper and rosemary notes coming together in a kaleidoscope of aromas and flavors that are backed by layers of silky-textured raspberry fruit. Medium to full-bodied, it's creamy and lush on the palate, with a long, delicate finish.