Red Rhone 1994: Drink now
Good wines emerged from Hermitage, Cornas, and Saint Joseph. The southern Rhone enjoyed its best vintage since 1990.
Weather Conditions
In the north, the summer was hot and dry, with some welcome rain in early September that overstayed its welcome in Côte Rotie.
Best Appellations
Northern Rhone: good wines emerged from Hermitage, Cornas, and St Joseph, especially from growers who waited for the wet weather to end. Some grapes, however, were before fully ripe, so quality is inconsistent. South: enjoyed its best vintage since 1990, with the harvest in Châteauneuf beginning at the end of August. Châteauneuf wines were sound, but Gigondas was fairly light.
Best Producers
Good Hermitage from Chapoutier, Delas, Bernard Faurie, Grippat, Guigal and Marc Sorrel. Excellent Cornas was produced by Clape, Colombo, Marcel Juge, Noel Verset. Andre Perret made terrific St Joseph (as usual), but Chave, Pierre Coursodon and Jaboulet also did well.
