All the single vineyard wines have turned out to be exceptional in 1992, far better than I expected when I tasted them prior to their astonishing 40 month sojourn in 100% new oak casks. These wines are bottled with no fining or filtration, and as Guigal says, "have the lowest SO2 levels measurable in France" - a testament, he believes, to his vinification, elevage in new oak, and, most importantly, the nature of Syrah. The 1992 Cote Rotie La Landonne is the densest, most savage, and animal-like of the three single-vineyard cuvees. Made from a vineyard on the steep hillside on the Cote Brune, this dark ruby/purple-colored wine reveals copious quantities of sweet black fruits in the nose intermingled with Asian spices, roasted herbs, and grilled steak. Medium to full-bodied, powerful, and rich, with some noticeable tannin, this wine is approachable because of its low acidity. It has turned out to be another exceptional example of La Landonne. Drink it over the next 15 years. One of the other admirable characteristics of a tasting at Guigal is that unlike most wine cellars in Burgundy, Guigal's wines actually taste better after bottling than they do in the cellars. I do not know the reason for this, but Guigal says it is because, "the understanding of how much time a wine needs in either small barrel, tank, or foudre is essential to producing fine wine, and that each vintage and each wine is bottled when I believe it is ready." I should add that his tendency to do a natural bottling for all his reds, in addition to sulphur adjustments that are among the lowest in France, also add to the quality of the bottled wines. I say this because the 1992s are all in bottle, and this vintage has turned out far stronger in bottle than when I first reported on the wines several years ago. It is not a particularly good vintage in the northern Rhone, but Guigal's best wines are the stars of the vintage (along with the luxury cuvees of Chapoutier). Guigal still has a couple of difficult vintages to bottle, but his 1992s have turned out surprisingly strong. In addition, the 1993s are satisfying for the vintage. Following 1993 are two great vintages for Guigal - 1994 and 1995. Importer: Classic Wines, Boston, MA; tel. (818) 548-1200

All the single vineyard wines have turned out to be exceptional in 1992, far better than I expected when I tasted them prior to their astonishing 40 month sojourn in 100% new oak casks. These wines are bottled with no fining or filtration, and as Guigal says, "have the lowest SO2 levels measurable in France" - a testament, he believes, to his vinification, elevage in new oak, and, most importantly, the nature of Syrah. The 1992 Cote Rotie La Landonne is the densest, most savage, and animal-like of the three single-vineyard cuvees. Made from a vineyard on the steep hillside on the Cote Brune, this dark ruby/purple-colored wine reveals copious quantities of sweet black fruits in the nose intermingled with Asian spices, roasted herbs, and grilled steak. Medium to full-bodied, powerful, and rich, with some noticeable tannin, this wine is approachable because of its low acidity. It has turned out to be another exceptional example of La Landonne. Drink it over the next 15 years.One of the other admirable characteristics of a tasting at Guigal is that unlike most wine cellars in Burgundy, Guigal's wines actually taste better after bottling than they do in the cellars. I do not know the reason for this, but Guigal says it is because, "the understanding of how much time a wine needs in either small barrel, tank, or foudre is essential to producing fine wine, and that each vintage and each wine is bottled when I believe it is ready." I should add that his tendency to do a natural bottling for all his reds, in addition to sulphur adjustments that are among the lowest in France, also add to the quality of the bottled wines. I say this because the 1992s are all in bottle, and this vintage has turned out far stronger in bottle than when I first reported on the wines several years ago. It is not a particularly good vintage in the northern Rhone, but Guigal's best wines are the stars of the vintage (along with the luxury cuvees of Chapoutier). Guigal still has a couple of difficult vintages to bottle, but his 1992s have turned out surprisingly strong. In addition, the 1993s are satisfying for the vintage. Following 1993 are two great vintages for Guigal - 1994 and 1995. Importer: Classic Wines, Boston, MA; tel. (818) 548-1200

Toast and coffee flavors dominate the black cherry and plum notes in this big, firm red. It's very tannic and quite closed now, and though it shows impressive concentration, it may lack the balance to improve with age. -