value Rhône 2020
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

In his Rhône 2020 vintage report Matt Walls found fresh, vibrant and deliciously drinkable wines across the Northern and Southern appellations, with many wines being approachable now.

Given that many wines won’t last as long as previous vintages such as 2016, 2017 and 2019, this could make the 2020s great value picks for immediate drinking.

La Bastide St-Dominique, Chapelle, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France 2020

My wines
Locked score

Orange blossom and pear, with macadamia and blonde tobacco from the discrete oak. This has breadth, but also a light touch on your tongue. The...

2020

RhôneFrance

La Bastide St-DominiqueChâteauneuf-du-Pape

Decanter Premium logo

Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes

Join Now

Cave Julien Cécillon, Gemini, St-Péray, 2020

My wines
Locked score

Quite deeply coloured compared to the other 2020 Saint-Pérays. Rich aromas of exotic fruits, mango and star fruit. Full-bodied, opulent but not heavy, with good...

2020

RhôneFrance

Cave Julien CécillonSt-Péray

Decanter Premium logo

Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes

Join Now

Château des Roques, Cuvée Blanche, Vacqueyras, 2020

My wines
Locked score

Noticeably full-bodied, but has the intensity, concentration of flavour and acidity to back it up. Juicy but dry, bright and gently tense, with just a...

2020

RhôneFrance

Château des RoquesVacqueyras

Decanter Premium logo

Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes

Join Now

Domaine Faury, Blanc, St-Joseph, 2020

My wines
Locked score

Musky lime on the nose. Middleweight style, this is fresh and precise with good acidity. Vibrant and zesty on the finish, making for a bright...

2020

RhôneFrance

Domaine FaurySt-Joseph

Decanter Premium logo

Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes

Join Now

Cave de Tain, Fleur de Roc, St-Péray, 2020

My wines
Locked score

Orange blossom with subtle honeycomb edging. Medium- to full-bodied for the vintage, this has lovely sappy acidity running through it. A consistently very good cuvée...

2020

RhôneFrance

Cave de TainSt-Péray

Decanter Premium logo

Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes

Join Now

Domaine Bernard Gripa, Blanc, St-Joseph, 2020

My wines
Locked score

A little custard on the nose, crème anglaise and white flowers. Medium-bodied, with a lovely sense of lift and freshness to the aromatics, accentuated by...

2020

RhôneFrance

Domaine Bernard GripaSt-Joseph

Decanter Premium logo

Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes

Join Now

Domaine Lafond, Blanc, Lirac, 2020

My wines
Locked score

Full-bodied, rich and fat on the palate, then neatens up on the finish with a nip of positive bitterness. Long finish, with some refreshing herbal...

2020

RhôneFrance

Domaine LafondLirac

Decanter Premium logo

Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes

Join Now

Domaine Gaylord Machon, La Fille Dont J'ai Rêvé, Crozes-Hermitage, 2020

My wines
Locked score

Great intensity and presence on the nose, then power and concentration on the palate. The acidity is gentle, but the wine feels harmonious, with plenty...

2020

RhôneFrance

Domaine Gaylord MachonCrozes-Hermitage

Decanter Premium logo

Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes

Join Now

Domaine des Carabiniers, Lunar Apogé Beige, Tavel, 2020

My wines
Locked score

Assertive red fruits, some blackberry even. Full-bodied, full of flavour, powerful and structured, typically and proudly Tavel with a long finish. Good freshness and focus....

2020

RhôneFrance

Domaine des CarabiniersTavel

Decanter Premium logo

Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes

Join Now

Domaine Maby, Prima Donna, Tavel, 2020

My wines
Locked score

Full-bodied, plenty of strawberry and raspberry flavours, a strong beam of acidity and a fresh, structured finish. Classic Tavel, very good.

2020

RhôneFrance

Domaine MabyTavel

Decanter Premium logo

Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes

Join Now

Château la Croix des Pins, Les Dessous des Dentelles, Gigondas, 2020

My wines
Locked score

Immediately more interesting than most Gigondas in 2020, there's detail and precision on the nose, with some intriguing spice notes. Full-bodied, with soft sweet plum...

2020

RhôneFrance

Château la Croix des PinsGigondas

Decanter Premium logo

Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes

Join Now

Château Sixtine, Cuvée du Vatican, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 2020

My wines
Locked score

Rounded, gentle, softly structured but with fresh, crunchy fruit. Not a particularly big or powerful Châteauneuf, but a well balanced one. Not giving much away...

2020

RhôneFrance

Château SixtineChâteauneuf-du-Pape

Decanter Premium logo

Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes

Join Now

Domaine des Amadieu, Garrigues, Cairanne, 2020

My wines
Locked score

Rich, full and deep, with softly ripe but bold tannins. More depth than most Cairannes this year, showing concentrated, unctuous, powerful berry fruit, and it's...

2020

RhôneFrance

Domaine des AmadieuCairanne

Decanter Premium logo

Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes

Join Now

Domaine Jolivet, L'Instinct, St-Joseph, 2020

My wines
Locked score

There's a gently herbal, earthy side to the black fruits that gives this wine personality. Not overly full-bodied, there's some space in the wine. Clear,...

2020

RhôneFrance

Domaine JolivetSt-Joseph

Decanter Premium logo

Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes

Join Now
Matt Walls
Decanter's Rhône coresspondent, and DWWA Regional Chair for the Rhône.

Matt Walls is an award-winning freelance wine writer and consultant, contributing regular articles to various print and online titles including Decanter, where he is a contributing editor. He has particular interest in the Rhône Valley; he is chair of the Rhône panel at the Decanter World Wine Awards and is the owner of travel and events company www.rhoneroots.com.