Wine Advocate #182 - Apr 2009
Score : 100
Utter perfection, the 2005 Cote Rotie La Landonne exhibits a similar scorched earth/burning ember and bacon fat-scented nose as well as copious quantities of black fruits, truffles, and forest floor. Incredibly dense and masculine with unreal levels of concentration, and beautifully integrated tannin, acidity, and oak, this remarkable 2005 may turn out to be the longest-lived La Landonne since the debut vintage of 1978 (which is still going strong). Cellar this cuvee for 5-6 years, and consume it over the following 35+ years. Drink: 2014 - 2049. Robert Parker.
Wine Spectator - Sep 30, 2009
Score: 99
Still tight, with a wall of mocha and raspberry ganache covering the massive core of fig fruit, hoisin sauce and plum cake notes. This is extremely dense but remarkably polished, with a long, tongue-penetrating finish that drips of fruit and spice laid over massive grip. Best from 2012 through 2034. 1,000 cases made. Designation: Collectibles. James Molesworth.
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - Jan/Feb 07
Score : 95-98
Powerful, deeply concentrated cherry, dark berries and licorice on the nose, with suggestions of cured tobacco, molasses and espresso. Imploded dark fruit flavors are framed by solid tannins but the fruit easily muscles its way through, picking up notes of exotic spice s and candied licorice Expands and gains in sweetness on the chewy, very long finish. Not as sexy as the Turque but I get more depth and power here. Josh Raynolds.
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - Jan/Feb 08
Score : 95-97
Opaque purple. Brooding cherry-cola, cassis, cocoa and licorice scents, with suave Indian spices gaining power with air. Deep, chewy and sweet, offering impressively rich dark fruit preserve flavors, velvety tannins and great spicy lift. Really clings to the palate, finishing sappy and with outstanding thrust. An amazing wine, but I give the edge to the Turque today. Josh Raynolds.
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - Jan/Feb 09
Score : 97-99
Glass-staining purple. A black hole on the nose, reluctantly offering up notes of dark berry, plum compote, licorice and roasted coffee. Spicier and fresher on the palate, with sweet, deeply concentrated red and dark berry flavors and a salty note of olive tapenade. Impressively dense and powerful wine with incredible finishing cling and persistence. One for the darkest corner of your cellar. Josh Raynolds.
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Jan/Feb 10
Score : 97
Opaque purple. Highly expressive, exotic bouquet of blueberry, boysenberry, violet face powder, Indian spices and smoky minerals. Deeply concentrated but almost shockingly vibrant, offering palate-coating dark berry and cherry liqueur flavors and notes of floral pastilles and minerals. The finish doesn't want to let up and eventually leaves notes of flowers and smoky spices behind. This glyceral, potent wine is destined for a long life, and it would be a crime to open it any time soon. Josh Raynolds.
Guide Bettane & Desseauve des Vins de France
Score : 19,5/20
Floral, concentré, assez sauvage. Notes d'herbes sauvages, de goudron, de graphite. La bouche est minérale et concentrée, la finale tendue et bien précise. Grande distinction.