La Landonne Côte-Rôtie

Domaine Jean-Michel Gerin is a family owned winery located in the heart of Côte Rôtie, near the village of Ampuis in the Rhône Valley. Hailing from a family of grape growers, Jean Michel established his eponymous winery in 1983, the first in his family to make wine. While he sources much of his fruit from family owned vineyards dating back to his grandfather’s time, he has also purchased land along the way, buying his first vineyard in the famed ‘Les Grandes Places’ in 1988, followed by a second purchase in ‘La Landonne.’ Today, the estate covers a little more than 30 acres in the Côte Rôtie appellation and much smaller plots in Condrieu and the northern Rhône, which Jean-Michel farms alongside his two sons, Michäel and Alexis.

La Landonne comprises a total of 4.40 ha but despite its small size, is farmed by nine different growers (0.40 ha is owned by Gerin). The value of La Landonne is as great as the production is limited ($1.5MM/ha; 150 cs/year!) 30-year-old vines are grown in iron-rich micaschiste soil with vines that slope on the hillside at a 50% incline facing southeast.

After harvest, the grapes are destemmed and macerated for four weeks. Gerin uses native yeasts for all their wines. Aged 22 months in oak barrique (30% new).

Supple tannins and aromatic complexity, with potent aromas of blackberry liqueur, licorice, and florals that are complicated by a peppery note and a hint of vanillin oak. Dense, round and seamless on the palate, showing a suave, velvety texture to its flavors of dark berry compote and cola. The long, sweet finish features impressive energy, lush tannins, and an exotic floral pastille flourish.