Brilliant violet. Ripe black and blue fruit, cherry cola, olive and a pungent floral note on the deeply perfumed nose; a peppery element adds complexity. Plush blackberry, bitter cherry and spicecake flavors display excellent clarity and take a sweeter turn with air. The supple, extremely persistent finish shows superb detail, and pliant tannins fold quickly into the sappy, strikingly persistent dark fruit. 94-96 points

Subtle notes of baking spices frame hints of tea, olives and raspberries on the nose of the 2016 Cote Rotie la Landonne. A paragon of elegance, it`s medium to full-bodied, but silky from start to lingering finish. It`s a wine that`s pretty much guaranteed to make even the steeliest curmudgeon smile, as it`s so bright, ephemeral and luscious. It`s not the rich, ripe wine the 2015 is, but it`s suave, complex and long. 97 points

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

(used 228-litre oak cask, bottling July 2018) full robe. Has a soft blackberry aroma, ripe blueberry that comes with neat sweetness, is most inviting. The palate bears graceful red fruits that have real good carry and a winsome appeal, detail and purity on parade with length of fruit and content into late darkness and a firm layer, compact and round. This has good flesh. 4.5*