Vinous (93)

(50% new oak): Inky ruby. Sexy, inviting aromas of cherry compote, blackcurrant, incense and smoky Indian spices, with a peppery nuance in the background. Smooth, sweet and open-knit, offering sappy dark fruit and spicecake flavors complemented by notes of cola and violet pastille. Sweet and youthfully tannic on the clinging finish, with repeating smoke and floral qualities. Shows a very civilized character for this bottling, which is often a tough read in its early days.

Indulge your palate with the exquisite 'Cuilleron Crozes Hermitage Laya 2015'. Renowned producer Yves Cuilleron, known for his meticulous craftsmanship in the Northern Rhône Valley, brings you this unparalleled Syrah. Born of the estate's old vines in Chavanay, the fruit is manually harvested and only the best mature bunches are chosen. Phenolic maturity is ensured with whole-cluster fermentation at controlled temperatures, whilst 18 months ageing in oak casks builds complexity.

The resultant wine is a harmonious blend of power and elegance. Boasting seductive aromas of ripe fruit and touch of spice, its palate teases out the nuances of blackcurrants, violets and black olives. Fine-grained tannins bolster the lush flavours, finishing with resplendent minerality. Cuilleron Crozes Hermitage Laya 2015 is indeed a study in balance and refinement; a testimony to the prowess of Yves Cuilleron. A must-try for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

The de Lorient Cornas La Cabane des Chasseurs 2021 is a quintessential French wine, originating from the revered Rhône region. Renowned for its robust, full-bodied taste, this fine wine provides a distinguished combination of red fruit layers, underscored by subtle smoky and earthy undertones. An expression of the traditional winemaking techniques, the wine is matured in French oak barrels for peak refinement.

Produced by the distinguished de Lorient estate, a trusted standard-bearer in Cornas, a commitment to quality is conceptualised in every bottle. Notably, the de Lorient Cornas La Cabane des Chasseurs 2021, is made from 100% Syrah grapes, hand-picked from the estate's vineyards. Nestled on the steep slopes, the vineyards' granite-rich soils and optimal sunlight exposure influence the grapes' defining characteristics.

As an epitome of expert craftsmanship and Rhône tradition, the de Lorient Cornas La Cabane des Chasseurs 2021 adds a deserving jewel to any restricted wine collection.

Vinous (93)

Dark purple. Expansive aromas of black and blue fruit preserves, smoky Indian spices and olive, with a suave floral nuance that gains strength with air. Deeply concentrated but energetic as well, offering palate-staining blueberry and violet pastille flavors and building spiciness. Rounded tannins add gentle grip to a strikingly long penetrating finish that clings with strong tenacity.

Wine Advocate (97+)

Another killer Cote Rotie is the 2009 Cote Rotie la Landonne and it's a bigger, rich, more opulent version of the 2010. Raspberries, chocolate, exotic flowers, violets and ample minerality all give way to a full-bodied, seamless, layered 2009 that has massive mid-palate depth and a monster finish. Raised all in new oak, it should be drinkable at an earlier age than the '10, yet have a similar evolution.

Wine Advocate (97+)

Another killer Cote Rotie is the 2009 Cote Rotie la Landonne and it's a bigger, rich, more opulent version of the 2010. Raspberries, chocolate, exotic flowers, violets and ample minerality all give way to a full-bodied, seamless, layered 2009 that has massive mid-palate depth and a monster finish. Raised all in new oak, it should be drinkable at an earlier age than the '10, yet have a similar evolution.

Wine Advocate (98)

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.

Wine Advocate (95)

Showing even better from bottle than barrel, the 2012 Côte Rôtie La Landonne is a fabulous effort that oozes notions of cassis, black raspberry, violet, incense and spice-box. Medium to full-bodied, with a gorgeous mid-palate and building, fine tannin, enjoy this ripe, layered, textured beauty over the coming 10-15 years. Made from 100% Syrah aged in new barrels, it’s gorgeous.

Wine Advocate (94+)

The 2013 Côte Rôtie la Landonne is a longer term prospect that will require patience. It offers youthful, yet beautifully pure notes of black cherries, roasted herbs, licorice and distinct minerality to go with a medium to full-bodied, structured, tannic yet balanced feel on the palate. Completely destemmed and aged in 40% new French oak, I followed this bottle for multiple days and it continued to gain more and more mid-palate depth, without losing purity or freshness. Give bottles 5-6 years of cellaring and enjoy through 2038.

Wine Advocate (97)

With only about 100 cases produced each year, finding a bottle of the 2015 Cote Rotie la Landonne will prove much harder than drinking it. It's indeed a terrific wine but a bit closed and cedary at this particular moment, the 40% new oak standing out on the nose. But this cuvée has a long track record of excellence, so expect it to blossom with time in the cellar. It's concentrated and powerful but amazingly light on its feet, with firm, ample tannins that manage to convey a sense of ripeness as well. Tar, black olive, cassis and espresso elements all speak to the grape (100% Syrah) and the single lieu-dit origin.

Wine Advocate (97)

With only about 100 cases produced each year, finding a bottle of the 2015 Cote Rotie la Landonne will prove much harder than drinking it. It's indeed a terrific wine but a bit closed and cedary at this particular moment, the 40% new oak standing out on the nose. But this cuvée has a long track record of excellence, so expect it to blossom with time in the cellar. It's concentrated and powerful but amazingly light on its feet, with firm, ample tannins that manage to convey a sense of ripeness as well. Tar, black olive, cassis and espresso elements all speak to the grape (100% Syrah) and the single lieu-dit origin.

Wine Enthusiast (97)

Sun-baked garrigue and smoky notes of iron and earth accent intensely ripe black cherry and cassis in this wine. Made from 100% Syrah, it's a hulking powerhouse of black-fruit flavors but finessed by firm acidity and fine, integrated tannins. Stunning already it should improve through 2036 and hold further.

Vinous (96)

Glass-staining ruby. Displays an array of intensely perfumed black and blue fruit scents that are complemented and energized by suggestions of candied flowers, exotic spices and smoky minerals. Expansive, smoke- and spice-accented blueberry, blackberry and cherry-cola flavors show superb clarity and take on allspice, olive and cracked pepper notes as the wine opens up. Weighty as well as lithe, finishing extremely long and minerally, with the floral and cherry notes echoing.

Vinous (96)

Opaque ruby. Intensely perfumed, spice- and mineral accented blackberry, cherry liqueur, potpourri, pipe tobacco and licorice on the penetrating nose. Sweet, spicy and focused on the palate, displaying impressively deep, ripe dark berry, kirsch, exotic spice and fruitcake flavors that slowly flesh out with aeration. Shows superb clarity and drive and finishes smoky and impressively long, with steadily building tannins and a lingering suggestion of candied violet.

Vinous (96)

Opaque ruby. Intensely perfumed, spice- and mineral accented blackberry, cherry liqueur, potpourri, pipe tobacco and licorice on the penetrating nose. Sweet, spicy and focused on the palate, displaying impressively deep, ripe dark berry, kirsch, exotic spice and fruitcake flavors that slowly flesh out with aeration. Shows superb clarity and drive and finishes smoky and impressively long, with steadily building tannins and a lingering suggestion of candied violet.

Vinous (96-97)

Dark purple. A highly complex bouquet evokes ripe black and blue fruits, incense and potpourri; olive and exotic spice nuances build in the glass. Offers palate-staining cassis, bitter cherry, olive, licorice and violet pastille flavors that show superb delineation and a spicy snap of cracked pepper on the back half. Closes extremely long and smoky, with repeating mineral and floral notes and gripping tannins that build steadily.

Vinous (92+)

Glass-staining purple. Deeply concentrated dark fruit aromas are brightened by zesty minerals and complicated by smoky bacon and Indian spice qualities. Broad and fleshy, with dense cassis and blueberry flavors and a bitter note of cherry skin. Gains freshness with air, taking a turn to brighter red fruits on the finish. This rich, complex wine finishes with youthfully tight grip and lingering spiciness.

Vinous (92+)

Glass-staining purple. Deeply concentrated dark fruit aromas are brightened by zesty minerals and complicated by smoky bacon and Indian spice qualities. Broad and fleshy, with dense cassis and blueberry flavors and a bitter note of cherry skin. Gains freshness with air, taking a turn to brighter red fruits on the finish. This rich, complex wine finishes with youthfully tight grip and lingering spiciness.