The 2020 Delas Freres Cote Rotie la Landonne is a notable Syrah from the Northern Rhone region of France, specifically the esteemed Cote Rotie appellation. This red wine has garnered significant praise from reviewers for its complexity, balance, and aging potential.
Decanter awarded this wine a score of 94, highlighting its fresh nose with juniper and warm herbal notes behind berry fruits. The review describes it as "rounded and juicy on the palate," with fine tannins and good energy. This wine was fermented in open-top concrete tanks for 20 days and matured in new and one-year-old barrels for 14 months, which contributes to its well-shaped profile.
James Suckling gave the 2020 Delas Freres Cote Rotie la Landonne a higher score of 96, praising its rich, suave, and refined nature. He noted that the wine should impress both Burgundy and Rhone enthusiasts, with "integrated deep black fruit aromas, silky tannins, and stony minerality." Suckling also emphasized its excellent potential for aging, recommending it be best enjoyed from 2025 onwards.
Jeb Dunnuck's review was particularly enthusiastic, scoring the wine 97 points. He described it as a "beauty" with a deep purple/plum hue and a full-bodied style. Dunnuck appreciated its classic La Landonne notes of smoked meats, liquid violets, creosote, blueberry, and black raspberries. He noted its "deep, rich, and seamless" character, perfectly ripe tannins, good acidity, and a "blockbuster of a finish." Dunnuck followed the wine over several days and found it gained richness and depth, showing no signs of fatigue or oxidation even after three days.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also scored the wine 94 points, noting the small size of the Delas parcel in the vineyard, which yields 22–28 hectoliters each vintage. The 2020 vintage offers "forward raspberry and herb notes underscored by hints of roasted meat." Although not a blockbuster vintage, it is described as silky and long on the finish, nicely expressing the site and being approachable when young.
Wine & Spirits rated the wine 92 points, mentioning its "earthy-sweet blueberry flavors" and bright acidity, suggesting it will be even more exciting in five years. They advise decanting if opened now to diminish the toasty oak finish, and recommend pairing it with grilled lamb.
Vinous also gave a high score of 97 points, noting a highly complex bouquet with ripe black and blue fruits, incense, and potpourri. The review highlighted the wine’s superb delineation and spicy snap of cracked pepper, with a long, smoky finish and gripping tannins.
Overall, the 2020 Delas Freres Cote Rotie la Landonne is a well-balanced, complex Syrah with potential for long-term aging, receiving excellent reviews from multiple critics.