Rhône 2019 En Primeur: Full report
After tasting more than 1,300 wines for this year's Rhône vintage report, Matt Walls says 2019 is a powerful, ripe vintage showcasing a step-up in quality from 2018 with areas of localised greatness in both the north and south.
In Brief: Rhône 2019 En Primeur
Northern Rhône 2019
4/5
A very hot, dry growing season resulting in some rich, opulent reds – sometimes overripe and alcoholic. Côte-Rôtie leads the pack, with Hermitage not far behind.
Southern Rhône 2019
4.5/5
A swelteringly hot, very dry year that was surprisingly successful, especially in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, both reds and whites. Elsewhere there are mixed results; some excellent wines, others with unbalanced alcohol or tough tannins.
‘I would not describe 2019 as a ‘great vintage’ – it’s a vintage of localised greatness. ’
In September 2019, I took a dusty stroll through the vineyards of Gigondas. The hottest days of the year had passed, but it was still sweltering. I looked down at the bunches. There were thick, dark, leathery patches on the grapes where they were burnt by the sun.
I’ll be honest with you: I wasn’t holding out much hope for this vintage. I was worried it might be a rerun of the overrated, jammy 2003.
Scroll down for Matt’s top scoring Rhône 2019 tasting notes and scores
But on tasting the wines in October, my expectations were confounded; 2019 is a powerful, ripe vintage, but in places it’s thrillingly vibrant.
Some winemakers I spoke to in the Southern Rhône even put the 2019s on a par with the stunning 2016s and 2010s.
After tasting over 1,300 wines across the region, I’m not sure I’d agree.
In 2016 it was hard to find a bad wine; even indifferent winemakers had good wines thrust upon them by the perfect growing season. The 2019 vintage isn’t like that. There are many unbalanced wines. But it’s a vintage that presented talented vignerons with a window of opportunity; those with good terroir and the means to react quickly and judiciously have made some phenomenal wines.
So I would not describe 2019 as a ‘great vintage’ – it’s a vintage of localised greatness.
In both the Southern and the Northern Rhône, the 2019s are a step up from the 2018s. But 2019 is a better vintage in the south than the north.
Grenache and Mourvèdre love to bask in the sun, but Syrah prefers a more moderate climate. It may sit at a higher latitude, but in the Northern Rhône the heat of the vintage feels more uncomfortably apparent.
Skip over the unbalanced wines, however, and there are some real treats to be found – especially in Côte-Rôtie.
Quick links
Northern Rhône report and top scoring wines
Individual appellation analysis and top-scoring wines:
Quick links
Southern Rhône report and top scoring wines
Individual appellation analysis and top-scoring wines:
Gigondas, Vacqueyras & Beaumes de Venise
Best Producers in 2019:
Northern Rhône
Côte-Rôtie
Domaine Benjamin et David Duclaux
Domaine Christophe Billon
Domaine François et Fils
Domaine Jamet
Domaine Rostaing
Domaine Stéphane Ogier
E. Guigal
Condrieu and Château-Grillet
Château-Grillet
Clos de la Bonnette
Domaine François Merlin
Domaine de Monteillet
Cave Yves Cuilleron
Saint-Joseph
E. Guigal
Domaine Gonon
Domaine Guy Farge
Domaine J.L. Chave
M. Chapoutier
Pierre Gaillard
Vignobles Chirat
Cornas
Domaine A&E Verset
Ferraton Père et Fils
Domaine Vincent Paris
Saint-Péray
Domaine Alain Voge
Domaine de Lorient
Hermitage
Delas Frères
E. Guigal
Ferraton Père et Fils
Domaine J.L. Chave
Domaine Laurent Fayolle
M. Chapoutier
Domaine Yann Chave
Crozes-Hermitage
Domaine Aléofane
Domaine Esprit
Domaine Laurent Fayolle
Domaine Laurent Habrard
Domaine Marc Sorrel
M. Chapoutier
Southern Rhône
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Château de Beaucastel
Clos des Papes
Le Clos du Caillou
Domaine de Cristia
Château la Nerthe
Le Vieux Donjon
Gigondas, Vacqueyras & Beaumes de Venise
Domaine des Bosquets
Domaine de Longue Toque
Moulin de la Gardette
Château de Saint Cosme
Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux
Domaine du Terme
Rasteau, Cairanne & Vinsobres
Domaine Alary
Domaine des Amadieu
Domaine Chaume-Arnaud
Domaine les Grands Bois
Domaine la Luminaille
Domaine Roche
Lirac & Tavel
Château d’Aqueria
Domaine Coudoulis
Domaine la Lôyane
Château de Montfaucon
Les Vignobles Assemat
The wines below all scored 97 points or above.
Of the remaining 420 wines tasted for this report, 35 scored 96 points, 45 scored 95 points and 57 scored 94 points.
See Matt’s top scoring Rhône 2019 tasting notes and scores
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Domaine Jamet, Côte Brune, Côte-Rôtie, Rhône, France, 2019
You hope for a few vintages like this in your life, says Jean-Paul Jamet. This is Domaine Jamet's only single-vineyard bottling, made every year. ...
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Domaine JametCôte-Rôtie
M Chapoutier, L'Ermite, Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
Driving sparky freshness, it seems to explode from the glass. This smells somehow salty, mineral, very intense, so straight and energetic with a thrilling tension....
2019
M ChapoutierHermitage
Château de Beaucastel, Hommage à Jacques Perrin, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France, 2019
Gorgeous perfume just jumps out the glass here, strongly scented and inviting. This is succulent and sweet, with an almost cherry kirsch, alcohol kick to...
2019
Château de BeaucastelChâteauneuf-du-Pape
Clos des Papes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France, 2019
Bright and floral on the nose. The tannins are extremely fine, almost imperceptible, but very much present, giving the wine a strong base for long...
2019
Clos des PapesChâteauneuf-du-Pape
Domaine de Cristia, Chapelle Saint Théodoric 'Le Grand Pin', Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France, 2019
A cooling, very fine style, a little gentler on the palate than their Guigasse, finer, but then like a peacock's tail on the finish. Long,...
2019
Domaine de CristiaChâteauneuf-du-Pape
Le Clos du Caillou, Réserve, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France, 2019
Captivating spice-led nose, this is a lithe, dynamic and athletic style of Châteauneuf. Very well balanced and focused with great aromatic precision. The alcohol is...
2019
Le Clos du CaillouChâteauneuf-du-Pape
Le Vieux Donjon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France, 2019
Very full-bodied with a lovely sweetness to the fruit, fine tannins and great freshness. Really shot through with juicy, sweet, chocolatey tannins and great concentration....
2019
Le Vieux DonjonChâteauneuf-du-Pape
Domaine Jamet, Côte-Rôtie, Rhône, France, 2019
Jean-Paul Jamet said '2019 gave wines in the style that I like to make'. A step up from the 2018 vintage, the 2019 is...
2019
Domaine JametCôte-Rôtie
Delas Frères, Les Bessards, Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
Remarkable tannic finesse is immediately apparent, teamed with great freshness, good acidity and deep concentration.There is a great sense of focus and direction and this...
2019
Delas FrèresHermitage
M Chapoutier, Le Pavillon, Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
This has the silky, flowing, thoroughbred style of Le Pavillon - incredible tannic finesse, but so big and shot through with ripe tannin. The alcohol...
2019
M ChapoutierHermitage
Château-Grillet, Château-Grillet, Rhône, France, 2019
A real burst of fresh apricot and peach, lemon verbena and green tea. Impressively full-bodied and round in the mouth, this has the real salt...
2019
Château-GrilletChâteau-Grillet
Château La Nerthe, Cuvée des Cadettes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France, 2019
Full-bodied, this has weight and presence but isn't overly fat or gloopy. Very firm but not austere in structure thanks to the pliant Mourvèdre tannic...
2019
Château La NertheChâteauneuf-du-Pape
Domaine de la Janasse, Vieilles Vignes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France, 2019
Lovely density of dark fruit, full and weighty on the palate. Powerful, long, concentrated and fresh. The alcohol is a little warming, but generally the...
2019
Domaine de la JanasseChâteauneuf-du-Pape
La Bastide St-Dominique, Secrets de Pignan, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France, 2019
Silky and flowing, an elegant style of wine that's concentrated and fresh with fragrant thyme and black cherry flavours and a long finish that is...
2019
La Bastide St-DominiqueChâteauneuf-du-Pape
Mas de Boislauzon, Tintot, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France, 2019
Very dark in the glass, this is soft and flowing with an earthy fragrance. Packed full of flavour and pliable, gentle tannin. The only minor...
2019
Mas de BoislauzonChâteauneuf-du-Pape
Delas Frères, La Landonne, Côte-Rôtie, Rhône, France, 2019
Immediately this has the darkness and aromatic austerity of La Landonne. Very full-bodied, expansive on the palate with mouthcoating flavour and tannin but not heavy....
2019
Delas FrèresCôte-Rôtie
Stéphane Ogier, La Côte Blonde, Côte-Rôtie, Rhône, France, 2019
Lifted pink peppercorns here - a spicy and floral aromatic display. Medium-to-full bodied, far from massive with exceptional tannic elegance, huge length and a touch...
2019
Stéphane OgierCôte-Rôtie
Stéphane Ogier, La Viallière, Côte-Rôtie, Rhône, France, 2019
So round and charming - great elegance here with plentiful tannins but so fine, this really is special. It has great finesse and silky length,...
2019
Stéphane OgierCôte-Rôtie
E Guigal, La Turque, Côte-Rôtie, Rhône, France, 2019
Highly spicy, with attractive star anise and cinnamon notes to the black fruits. Velvety on the palate, but this has serious structure. It feels embryonic...
2019
E GuigalCôte-Rôtie
E Guigal, La Landonne, Côte-Rôtie, Rhône, France, 2019
Dark, opaque colour. This has that closed, dark austerity you would expect. Gently sweet with a touch of Lapsang Souchong tea in the background -...
2019
E GuigalCôte-Rôtie
Château de St Cosme, Hominis Fides, Gigondas, Rhône, France, 2019
A seriously upright and skybound style, so much energy and very long. It's a seriously tannic wine this year, but elegant with it - and...
2019
Château de St CosmeGigondas
Château de St Cosme, Le Poste, Gigondas, Rhône, France, 2019
Extraordinary tannic structure for a 100% Grenache, with intensity of fruit, salinity and great driving freshness throughout. Extraordinary depth and floral on the finish, violets....
2019
Château de St CosmeGigondas
E Guigal, Ex-Voto, Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
A dense, aromatically imposing wine despite the fact it's fairly closed at this early stage, giving little away. Very full-bodied indeed, full of fat and...
2019
E GuigalHermitage
M Chapoutier, L'Ermite, Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
Very opulent for L’Ermite with a lower acidity than normal. The granitic freshness really helps in this vintage and you can somehow smell the saltiness....
2019
M ChapoutierHermitage
Domaine JL Chave, Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
A tasting of barrel samples of different lieux-dits: Péléat, Beaumes, Ermite, Le Méal, Bessards. Long, slow fermentations due to the high potential alcohols this year,...
2019
Domaine JL ChaveHermitage
Ferraton Père & Fils, Le Méal, Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
This is very much keeping its aromas to itself for now. On the palate it is smooth, silky, full-bodied and dense. This has great driving...
2019
Ferraton Père & FilsHermitage
M Chapoutier, Le Méal, Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
There's a gently resinous aspect to the savoury blackberry fruit alongside menthol and blackcurrant bush. A very powerful, muscular year, this has a huge tannic...
2019
M ChapoutierHermitage
