Southern Rhône 2020: full report and top scoring wines

Southern Rhône 2020 overall rating: 4/5

Fresh, juicy and immediate reds with lower alcohol than recent years, though some lack concentration. Beautiful white wines.

Southern Rhône 2020 red wine of the vintage:

Domaine de la Janasse, Chaupin, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020

Southern Rhône 2020 white wine of the vintage:

Château de Beaucastel, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020

Some vintages, such as 2016 and 2018, produce one style of wine in the Southern Rhône and a very different one in the Northern Rhône.

In 2020, however, that’s not the case – both the north and the south experienced similarly hot, dry growing conditions, resulting in a comparable style.

‘Much more finesse and elegance than 2019,’ according to Frédéri Férigoule of Domaine le Sang des Cailloux.

Scroll down for tasting notes and scores of the Southern Rhône 2020 top scoring wines

Coming soon:

Châteauneuf-du-Pape | Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Beaumes de Venise | Rasteau, Cairanne and Vinsobres | Lirac and Tavel

Here, as in the Northern Rhône, the year got off to an early start. Flowering and fruit set went well and after generous rains in April and May, the vines endured a hot, very dry summer.

The west bank was hit by frost, then hail, but the rest of the Southern Rhône had a stress-free year.

‘There was nothing to do!’ says Julien Barrot of Domaine la Barroche.

From tasting the wines, it would appear that drought-related blockages in ripening were more widespread in the Southern Rhône than the north. This is something of a mixed blessing.

Generally speaking, alcohols are lower than recent years and the wines have a fresh, elegant profile. Others have a green streak and lack tannin and depth.

But if you buy with care, there are plenty of wines with energy and verve that will offer balanced and refreshing early drinking.

See the Rhône 2020 full vintage report and top scoring wines

See all 400 Rhône 2020 tasting notes and scores

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Red wines from soils with plenty of water-retaining clay fared relatively well.

Old vines, with extensive root networks, also managed to sustain themselves better throughout the summer.

‘All varieties did well this year,’ according to Jacky Bernard, President of AOC Vacqueyras, which was a particularly reliable appellation this year.

Mourvèdre performed strongly throughout the south, providing valuable concentration and structure.

Along with Mourvèdre, César Perrin at Château de Beaucastel was particularly pleased with the quality of the Roussanne in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

And Vincent Avril of Clos des Papes was impressed by the Bourboulenc and Piquepoul Blanc.

White wines in the Southern Rhône are exceptional this year – don’t miss out.

Given the relatively fine tannic structures, I would expect this to be a vintage to enjoy young, but as Férigoule points out, ‘marathon runners aren’t big, muscular guys… for me, the important thing is the balance – and they have balance’.

See the Southern Rhône 2020 score table listing Matt’s top 89 wines scoring 94 points or above

See Matt’s top Southern Rhône 2020 tasting notes and scores:

The following wines all scored 94 points or above. Wines are listed white then red in score order.

Join us in the vineyards! Experience the best of the Rhône with Matt Walls this June, find out more here.

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Rhône 2020 full report and top scoring wines

Northern Rhône 2020 full report and top scoring wines