drink soon
Overall, a very inconsistent vintage, with wines ranging from dilute to over-tannic
Weather Conditions
Successful flowering and a hot summer promised a large ripe crop, but the harvest was marred by heavy rain. It was essential to select carefully, and some growers such as Chave left a good deal of unhealthy fruit on the vine.
Best Appellations
The wines from conscientious growers proved surprisingly attractive, if somewhat light, and were enjoyable in the short term. Courageous growers in the southern Rhône, which was also drenched during harvest, waited for the grapes to dry out and made firm and well structured wines; but they were in the minority. Overall, a very inconsistent vintage, with wines ranging from dilute to over-tannic. (Dull wines from Condrieu)
Best Producers
Some good Cote Rotie from Bernard Burgaud, Guigal and Robert Jasmin. Chave, Faurie, Grippat, Guigal and Jaboulet were also very successful in Hermitage.
