drink soon
Rich red wines from Northern Rhône (4-star quality) contrast with disappointing, rather astringent wines from the south (2-stars).
Weather Conditions
The severe frosts that devastated much of France left the Rhône only minimally affected. After a wet spring, the summer in the northern Rhône was dry and hot. Heavy rain fell from 11 September, but strong winds kept rot to manageable levels. Torrential rain in the south marred the harvest.
Best Appellations
North: heavy rain fell from 11 September, but strong winds kept rot to manageable levels. The red wines were rich but somewhat low in acidity and lacking in weight and body; the whites were succulent but evolved fast. The best wines from Côte Rotie, Cornas and Crozes-Hermitage are still drinking well. South: The year proved disappointing, giving rather astringent wines, quite light in colour and not destined for long ageing.
Best Producers
A fine vintage for Cote Rotie and Hermitage. Gilles Barge, Chapoutier, Clusel-Roch, Yves Cuilleron, Jean-Michel Gerin, Guigal, Jaboulet, Robert Jasmin, Michel Ogier and Rene Rostaing all performed well.
Few memorable wines in the south.
