Northern Rhône Vintages

Question 3

2023 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 3

Juicy, supple reds with moderate alcohol; hail affected parts of Cornas, St-Joseph, and southern Crozes; fresh whites for early drinking.

Question 4

2022 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 4

Hottest, driest on record; low yields, variable reds; some green tannin if picked early, better if harvested after August rain; rich whites.

Question 5

2021 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 5

Historic frost year; Hermitage spared; wet season, good whites; reds elegant but less concentrated, especially good from Côte Rôtie & Hermitage.

Question 6

2020 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 6

Early harvest; rich, fresh reds with fine tannins; high consistency; slightly less successful in Côte Rôtie than 2019.

Question 7

2019 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 7

Hot, dry vintage; concentrated reds with freshness; stellar in Côte Rôtie; Cornas more alcoholic; hail hit Crozes.

Question 8

2018 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 8

Warm vintage; high yields in north; low acid; promising wines, especially Côte Rôtie.

Question 9

2017 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 9

Weather challenges but high quality; concentrated, balanced Syrah; strong for Hermitage red & white.

Question 10

2016 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 10

Hail in Hermitage reduced yields; balanced wines with lower alcohol; tricky weather but high enthusiasm.

Question 11

2015 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 11

Top-quality vintage; ripe fruit; freshness and extraction management key; great reds, standout year.

Question 12

2014 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 12

Challenging year for reds; some dilution; good whites with acidity; reds now showing thin and mature.

Question 13

2013 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 13

Slow start but warm summer; good reds with longevity; whites best young.

Question 14

2012 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 14

Low alcohol; lower acid; tannic structure; aging uneven, mixed results.

Question 15

2011 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 15

September rain diluted reds; good quality but overshadowed by 2010 and 2009.

Question 16

2010 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 16

Exceptional year; low yields, concentrated wines; one of best vintages of the region.

Question 17

2009 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 17

Warm, dry; early harvest; ripe, structured reds aging well.

Question 18

2008 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 18

Rainy, dilute; weak vintage; few exceptions aged well.

Question 19

2007 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 19

Patchy season, saved by September; charming, early-drinking reds.

Question 20

2006 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 20

Mixed summer, warm September; promising reds and some excellent whites.

Question 21

2005 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 21

Highly rated; long-lived reds; some inconsistency emerging with age.

Question 22

2004 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 22

Average year; wines developed quickly; best consumed early.

Question 23

2003 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 23

Heatwave year; rich, concentrated reds; overshadowed by better-structured vintages.

Question 24

2002 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 24

Very poor year; rot and under-ripeness; avoid reds, some good whites early on.

Question 25

2001 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 25

Very successful, ripe and balanced; long-lived reds.

Question 26

2000 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 26

Good quality; charming wines; best enjoyed within 20 years.

Question 27

1999 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 27

Outstanding year; healthy crop, long aging potential; compared to 1947.

Question 28

1998 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 28

Dry summer; structured, long-aging reds.

Question 29

1997 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 29

Early maturing, soft reds; short-lived.

Question 30

1996 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 30

Solid but unexciting; now for academic interest only.

Question 31

1995 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 31

Promising year; some reds aging well past 20 years.

Question 32

1994 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 32

Rain affected ripeness; average vintage.

Question 33

1993 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 33

Good summer, bad fall; soft, fading wines.

Question 34

1992 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 34

Heavy rains; mixed, short-lived wines.

Question 35

1991 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 35

Superb Côte-Rôtie; charming and long-lasting reds.

Question 36

1990 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 36

Legendary Hermitage; Côte-Rôtie less successful.

Question 37

1989 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 37

Drought year; opulent but declining reds.

Question 38

1988 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 38

Underappreciated; long-aging Côte-Rôtie.

Question 39

1986 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 39

Generally lean and charmless; few exceptions.

Question 40

1985 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 40

Soft, opulent wines; early maturity.

Question 41

1983 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 41

Muscular and powerful; best now past peak.

Question 42

1979 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 42

Elegant, balanced wines; mostly faded now.

Question 43

1978 Vintage Characteristics

Answer 43

Exceptional vintage; aromatic, structured reds; rare and legendary.