2015 Domaine Jean-Michel Gerin Cote Rotie La Landonne

Just over 28 miles from the lovely city of Lyon, one of the gastronomic capitals of France, you will find Domaine Jean-Michel Gerin.

Jean-Michel Gerin is located in the heart of the Côte-Rôtie vineyards. In 1983, the Gerin family's dream began thanks to the inheritance of vineyards from Jean-Michel's father and grandfather. By 1987, Jean-Michel started to craft and market the wine under the name we know today ""Domaine Jean-Michel Gerin"". Quickly, this family business started to grow, and in 1996 they expanded the vineyards and purchased Las Grandes Places. Today, the well-established 29-acre estate is run by Jean-Michel's sons, Michael and Alexis.

Les Grandes Places is a charming 3.4-acre vineyard, nestled on terraced steep slopes facing south/southeast and with granite soils. Almost a quarter of the vines are over 80 years old and the majority of the vines are over 40 years old. The vineyard is treated respectfully, the harvest is by hand and picked going downhill with a basket tied behind. In 2020, the Domaine started the conversion process into organic and ecological farming.

The grape queens of the vineyard of Domaine Jean-Michel Gerin are Syrah and Viognier. Domaine Jean-Michel Gerin Saint-Joseph is created with 15-year-old Syrah vines.

As I was tasting through this domain’s 2015s with Alexis Gerin, he commented that while this is undoubtedly one of the great vintages of recent decades, “it was difficult to keep the wines elegant. Power and concentration were easy, but not finesse.” While these ‘15s are typically Gerin in character, with lush fruit leading the way, they also possess the structure to age. ~Vinous

2015 was an extraordinary vintage for this region. Vinous Media blessed this year with a 98 point review, and said: " A potentially monumental vintage that produced wines of distinct ripeness as well as energy, with wonderfully detailed fruit and harmonious tannins."

Aging: 22 months in barrique (20% new oak).

95% Syrah, 5% Viognier. The Syrah brings in smoke, violets and red fruits. The combination gives the wine a softer entry with underlying power and finesse. Inky ruby with vibrant cherry and black currant aromas are complemented by suggestions of black pepper, violet and olive. Taut and structured on entry, then more open in the mid-palate, it offers red berry and bitter cherry flavors sweetened by a floral pastille nuance and a hint of cola. Shows very good lift and focus on the gently tannic finish, which hangs on with very good, floral persistence.

Dark stones and graphite with black cherries and espresso, as well as very complex, woody spices and iodine. This is so intense and so seamlessly rich. The ripe blackberries and dark plums are so deeply captured. Essence-like. The tannins are substantial but supple; the rich black cherry and dark chocolate flavors are just superb. So long, so dense and so very, very impressive. Best from 2025. ~97 James Suckling

Opaque ruby. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes black and blue fruit preserves, incense and pungent flowers, while hints of smoky minerals, vanilla and licorice add complexity. Stains the palate with sweet cherry-vanilla, blueberry and floral pastille flavors that are given lift and bite by zesty acidity and a hint of cracked pepper. Finishes on a gently tannic note, showing superb, spicy lift and floral-driven persistence. ~94 Vinous Media

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