2004 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Landonne

One of the most elegant and ready-to-drink la Landonnes in the past 10-12 years is the 2004 Cote Rotie la Landonne. Already perfumed and complex, with beautiful smoked beef, rose petals, forest floor and sweet dark fruits, it almost has a Pinot Noir-like elegance and seamlessness. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and with nicely integrated acidity, drink it anytime over the coming decade.

Inky purple. Intensely perfumed, sexy aromas of Asian spices, cherry-cola, violet, yellow rose and black tea. Fresh cherry and dark berry flavors envelop the palate, with zesty minerality providing added lift. Gains sweetness with air, picking up bitter chocolate and candied floral character. Finishes broad, sweet and seemingly endless, with the cola and spice notes repeating. (JR)

Dark purple. Hugely aromatic, utterly seductive bouquet of kirsch, blackcurrant, olive, grilled meat and fresh flowers. Bitter cherry and violet pastille flavors pack a major punch, with slow-building tannins adding structure. Became slowly brighter with air, picking up spiced plum and cocoa flavors and finishing with supple tannins and an endless progression of dark berry qualities. "This always needs the most oxygen of these wines," Guigal noted.