Rhone Valley Flashcards
Rhone: 2018
North: Warm vintage, overripeness, low acidity
South: Downy mildew, low yields, warm weather, good concentration although lower acidity
Rhone: 2017
Terrible wheather, frost, good concentration, will age well.
Rhone: 2016
North: Good, not as concentrated as the 2015s
South: One of the best on record, great concentration, will age into the 2030s
Rhône: 2015
Easy, warm growing season. Very promising - best vintage since 2010, at least.
Rhône: 2014
Very rainy summer; serious Suzukii Fruit Fly issues in the North, particularly Cote-Rotie. Lighter in style, early drinking.
Rhône: 2013
South: Serious coulure in the Grenache plagued the Southern Rhone. Still good quality for medium aging.
North: Late start but excellent longevity.
Rhône: 2012
Difficult vintage; smaller crop than usual (rain at flowering). Lowered acidity, high tannin. The Rhone overall was more successful than most across Europe.
Rhône: 2011
More lightly styled than the preceeding vintages; cool summer and some rain at harvest. North is more successful than the south.
Rhône: 2010
As with the rest of France.
North: One of the best in history, low yields
South: Good
Rhône: 2009
North: Reds aging well, will reach peak in the 2020s
South: Overly alcoholic, best at 10 years, Beaucastel showing well
Rhône: 2008
Rainy and difficult. Light and somewhat dilute.
Rhône: 2007
Northern Rhone is similar to Burgundy - patchy summer with warmth at harvest. Difficult but good. Severe hail in Cote-Rotie.
Southern Rhone had an exceptional, silky, lush vintage.
Rhône: 2006
Good vintage with some rain on and off at harvest. Wines are more charming than powerful.
Rhône: 2005
As with the rest of France. Yields down slightly.
Not aging as well as some thought would.
North: attracted high scores upon release
Rhône: 2004
Near perfect weather, but the results are good but not great.
