2010 Cote Rotie La Landonne

Up with some of the greatest Cote Roties out there is Delas's 2010 Cote Rotie la Landonne. Revealing an inky purple color as well as an incredible perfume of spring flowers, violets, black raspberries, graphite and Asian spice, it has drop-dead gorgeous purity, full-bodied richness and a seamless, layered texture that fails to completely cover the wine's underlying tannic grip. Made from 100% Syrah and aged 16 months in new French oak, hide bottles in the cellar for another 4-5 years and enjoy them over the following three decades.

Glass-staining purple. A wild, exotically perfumed bouquet evokes black and blue fruit liqueur, potpourri and sandalwood, with notes of olive and smoked meat emerging with air. Broad, palate-staining black raspberry and vanilla flavors are given spine and lift by juicy acidity. Superbly clear, silky and sweet, with excellent finishing thrust and length. The tannins are smooth and harmonious.

(raised in 100% new barriques ): Inky purple. Smoky dark berries and cherry-vanilla on the exotically perfumed nose. Picks up incense and bacon fat with air, along with suggestions of clove and star anise. Intense flavors of spiced cherry and blackberry are enlivened by zesty minerality and given shape by supple tannins. This plush, suave, alluring wine finishes with intense sweetness and a late jolt of fruitcake.