Also served blind at the end of the retrospective, the 1979 Cote Rotie la Landonne was fabulous. Concentrated, rich, textured and fully mature, I was shocked at its core of sweet, voluptuous fruit and texture. Certainly ready to go, the tannin is completely resolved, it has no hard edges and is an utter joy to drink today. There's no need to hold off, but it will hold for at least another decade.

Still fresh, this balanced red marries ripe plum and fragrant spice notes. Lovely now, it should hold through 2000.--Guigal Cote-Rotie vertical. -TM