1990 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Landonne

Intense and still oaky wine with the sort of vanilla sweetness one associates with American oak (though I'm sure Guigal uses only French). For the moment the tannins are so rough that there's a certain rusticity about this wine. If you have some, don't open it for a while. (JR)

Blackish crimson – just a little evolution. Hint of hydrogen-sulphide. Australians would reject this. Leathery, rubbery. Quite hard. Very dry. Very obvious tannins. There is something underneath but at the moment there is no pleasure. (JR)

The 1990 La Landonne is a perfect wine! Fortunately, over 800 cases were produced. It possesses an opaque black color, and a huge, truffle, licorice, cassis, and peppery-scented nose. While it is one of the most concentrated wines I have ever poured across my palate, it is perfectly balanced, with adequate underlying acidity, huge extraction of ripe fruit and tannin, and a phenomenal 70 second or longer finish. This is the essence of Syrah! Give this monumental wine 7-10 years of cellaring; it will last for 40-45+ years. The 1990 single vineyard Cote Roties, which were released this spring, are the Cote Roties of the vintage. 1990 was not an easy year in this appellation because of the severe drought and heat wave that stressed the vineyards. As I have said previously, 1991 and 1989 are consistently better years for most of the Cote Rotie producers. However, Guigal has turned in exceptional efforts with these three single vineyard wines. Importer: Classic Wines, Boston, MA; Tel. (617) 731-6644