Guigal   La Landonne

2002 La Landonne

By Guigal

2002 La Landonne from Guigal, Rhone

The 2002 La Landonne from Guigal stands as a testament to the grace of exquisite, well-aged wines from the Rhone. Its graceful tenacity gives investors pause to acknowledge how serenely it has navigated the rigorous challenges of age.

 

A distinctive year for Rhône Valley

While 2002 was marred by untimely rain and uncooperative climatic conditions, resulting in a challenging harvest, the Guigal estate demonstrated its masterful winemaking prowess. They have crafted a wine that is not only enduring but leaves an indelibe mark on the discerning palate.

The 2002 La Landonne personifies elegance - a Sungenean symphony of dark-fruited, smokey charisma that thrives within the traditional constraints enforced by such challenging vintages.

 

Vigorous charm, buried potentiality

More lithe and agile than its contemporaries, the 2002 vintage pulsates with lively notes of blackberry liquer, leather and smoked herbs. And yet, this wine retains an underlying earthiness - a grounded charm that roots it firmly within its iconic Rhône terroir.

Acting as a patient sommelier to its true character, time has revealed the depth of flavour this Syrah was hiding. The magic of the past two decades has fortified the wine's bustling youth with layers of smoky complexity and emboldened tannins - traits one can expect from reputable wines like Guigal.

 

An impressive investment journey

To invest in wine is not merely about financial return - it is about embarking on a journey. A carefully tended vine, the thoughtfully selected barrel, the climatic conditions of a particular year - all add up to the uniqueness of each vintage.

The 2002 La Landonne by Guigal encapsulates this journey, having traversed the tough terrains of a challenging vintage to provide wine investors with a mature and intriguing offering. Unequivocally a testament to Guigal's skilled craftsmanship and relentless pursuit of quality, it exemplifies what one can expect from Rhône wines, even in less than ideal vintages.

This singular bottle serves as a worthy edition to any collection - proof that adversity can engender greatness. With each passing year, its value extends beyond the financial, providing an exquisite taste, a cultural story and a remarkable investment journey.

Market price (CAD)

$4,190.00

12x75cl

Highest score

93

POP score

193.85

Scores and tasting notes

93

A vintage that isn't poured very often, the 2002 Cote Rotie la Landonne is fully mature, yet has an excellent color and is far from tired or over the hill. Chocolaty dark fruits, spice-box, ground herbs and assorted meatiness gives way to a medium-bodied, elegant Cote Rotie that has a seamless texture and plenty of charm. I'd drink bottles over the coming 4-5 years, but I've no doubt it will have gradual decline beyond that.

Jeb Dunnuck - The Wine Advocate, 13 September 2015

Vintage performance