from northern sector La Landonne site, 100% Syrah, oldest 1920s (Marius Gentaz) and 1940s, youngest 2004, av age in 2008 30 years, 30-40% destemmed, 4-5 week vinification, pumping overs, 3x a day automatic cap punchings, aged 10-15% new, 85-90% 2-8 year oak (65% 550-litres, 35% 228 litres) 18-24 months, usually 22 months, fined, unfiltered. (228-litre cask) full, dark red robe. The nose gives a firm air of ink, has a stately black-fruited aroma, very fresh black berries such as loganberry with licorice. It is all very tight and sealed. The palate coasts with stylish richness, tasty tannins, gives a real complete wheel of flavour, dark fruits, black jam, with fir, compact tannins. This is rocket wine – off we go from la terre to the sky in one glass. It is showing a lot of promise. “It always had more concentration, tannin and colour, than the other wines,” Pierre Rostaing. “It has the same nose as the 2013 Landonne,” René Rostaing. 5*

Much more closed nose than Ampo dium but with masses buried in there. Almost painful tannins at this point. Zero sweetness. Wait! 17+ points