Côte-Rôtie & Condrieu 2021: report and top-scoring wines

Is frost a bad thing? Yes; but it can have unexpected benefits. It can kill shoots, reducing yields, but it doesn’t necessarily affect quality.

In cooler growing seasons, vines with fewer bunches can find it easier to ripen them. So given the inclement conditions that followed the frost in 2021, optimists might consider it advantageous that the crop load had been lightened.

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See the Rhône 2021 full vintage report and top scoring wines

Low potential alcohol levels meant that growers could wait to pick until the tannins were ripe without worrying about elevated degrees. ‘Otherwise,’ said François Villard, of his eponymous domaine, ‘it would really have been considered a bad vintage.’

Stéphane Ogier, of his eponymous domaine, agreed that it was a year to pick late, despite the risks; rot was widespread. He doesn’t intend to make any single-vineyard bottlings this year.

See also -individual appellation analysis on:

Crozes-Hermitage | St-Joseph | Cornas and St-Péray | Hermitage

Some of those who managed to ripen their crop went on to make some good wines, in an aromatic, mineral style with fairly austere tannins and low alcohol. But there are many other wines that are simply weak. I’ve heard some comparisons with the 2014 vintage, but I would place 2014 above 2021 in quality. Jean-Paul Jamet, of Domaine JP Jamet, and Stéphane Ogier suggested 2004 as stylistically analogous, which feels more accurate.

Condrieu fared better. A relatively cool growing season and plenty of water made for a crop of wines with intensity, good acidity and balanced alcohol. ‘I think it’s a great year for whites,’ says Ogier. His superlative Condrieu Les Vieilles Vignes de Jacques Vernay proves his point.

Rhône 2021 score tables:

All top Rhône 2021 score table

Top-scoring southern Rhône 2021 score table

Top-scoring northern Rhône 2021 score table

Top-scoring 2021 red wines

Top-scoring 2021 white wines

Côte-Rôtie & Condrieu 2021 key producers:

Domaine François Merlin – Côte-Rôtie

M Chapoutier – Côte-Rôtie

Domaine JP Jamet – Côte-Rôtie

Stéphane Ogier – Condrieu

André Perret – Condrieu

Domaine Niero – Condrieu

Côte-Rôtie & Condrieu 2021 top value wines:

Benjamin & David Duclaux, La Chana, Côte-Rôtie

Domaine Burgaud, Côte-Rôtie

Domaine François Merlin, Côte-Rôtie

Domaine Garon Les Triotes, Côte-Rôtie

Domaine Garon, La Vieille Maison, Condrieu

Domaine Niero Chérytage, Condrieu

Domaine Niero, Coeur de Roncharde, Condrieu

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Matt Walls’ top-scoring Côte-Rôtie & Condrieu 2021 wines:

The wines below all scored 95 points or above, and are listed Condrieu then Côte-Rôtie in score order.

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