Cote Rotie la Landonne 2019 Jean Michel Gerin

Tasting Note Cote Rotie la Landonne 2019

On the nose, there are aromas of black olives and black pepper, with a graphite-like edge. On the palate, the 2019 vintage is dense and vibrant, dark-fruited rather than jammy. The tannins still have room to soften. The powerful character of Syrah comes through in full force. The acidity provides a solid foundation and the spicy notes from the oak sit subtly in the background rather than overpowering the fruit. Allow it to breathe a bit more.

Cellaring Potential

It is best enjoyed by 2040. Tannins and concentration form the foundation of this wine. Before serving, it is recommended to decant the wine for about an hour and serve it at 16-18°C.

About Jean Michel Gerin

The Gerin family has lived in Ampuis for six generations, but the wine brand itself has a shorter history. Jean-Michel purchased his first vineyard in Côte-Rôtie in 1983 and released his first wine four years later. Since then, the domaine has expanded its vineyards one by one.

Les Grandes Places began being vinified as a separate wine in 1988, La Landonne in 1996, La Viallière starting with the 2009 vintage, and Côte Bodin in 2018. Michaël and Alexis Gerin currently cultivate approximately 20 hectares of vineyards; most of these are located on the hillsides behind Ampuis, with slopes ranging from 40% to nearly 60%, so all work is done by hand.

Syrah forms the backbone of their wines, though small amounts of Viognier are occasionally blended in (as permitted by this appellation). Jean Michel Gerin also produces a white wine called La Champine, which is made exclusively from Viognier and fermented in stainless steel tanks without the use of oak barrels. This domaine has been certified organic since the 2023 vintage.

Terroir & Climate

Côte-Rôtie stretches across approximately 320 hectares on slopes rising straight off the Rhône, which is precisely why individual lieu-dits are so important here. La Landonne is located toward Côte Brune, and its schist and iron-rich clay soils produce a Syrah that is broader and more structured than the limestone soils of Côte Blonde. South-facing exposure roasts the slope, but the bise, the region's northern wind, cools them down. This tension keeps the wine firm without making it heavy or cloying.

Winemaking

At Jean Michel Gerin, every named vineyard, including La Landonne, is fermented separately, so none of the individual characteristics are lost through blending. Oak barrels have always been part of this winery's style, and they are used extensively. However, since these red wines are made to emphasize fruit rather than the weight of the oak, the oak aromas come across as spices and toast rather than sawdust. Aging takes place in an oak barrel cellar built in the early 1990s, and a new winemaking facility was added in 2014.

Food Pairing: Cote Rotie la Landonne by Jean Michel Gerin

This wine truly shines when paired with rich, protein-heavy dishes. Recommended pairings:
The wine's notes of olive and pepper harmonize with the herbal flavors found in all four of these dishes.

• Saddle of venison, roasted pink, with a peppercorn sauce
• Lamb shoulder braised slowly with garlic and thyme
• Côte de boeuf, grilled over wood
• An intense game goulash, the Rhône classic