Rhône 2023: Buyer’s Report

The 2023 vintage in the Rhône Valley was a challenging yet rewarding one, resulting in wines of ripe but fresh character. The reds are the true stars, yet the finer whites are worth your attention. 

The vintage featured a combination of extreme weather conditions tested both the vines and the winemakers. After a hot, dry summer and early harvest, the wines from this year are marked by a striking combination of richness and freshness, showing both the resilience of the vines and the craftsmanship in the cellar.

While the overall yields were lower than average, the quality of the fruit that was harvested is exceptional, particularly in the Northern Rhône, where Syrah shines, and in the Southern Rhône, where Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault have created complex, well-balanced wines.

The fruit harvested in 2023 was marked by small, thick-skinned berries that had concentrated sugars and flavours. The warmer growing season led to ripe fruit with power, and the top producers focused on maintaining freshness in the wines, with careful fruit handling.

Red Wines (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, etc.)

The red wines from 2023 in the Rhône are marked by deep colours and intense fruit profiles. Grenache, the dominant variety in the Southern Rhône, produced wines that are rich, ripe, and powerful, with flavours of black cherry, plum, and hints of dried herbs and garrigue. These wines are full-bodied with a solid tannin structure, and the lower acidity will make them approachable in their youth. Syrah from the Northern Rhône, particularly from Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, and Crozes-Hermitage, shows ripe, concentrated fruit, with aromatic notes of blackberries, violets, and black pepper. The wines have a richness and depth and are balanced by moderate acidity, which will help them evolve with age.

White Wines (Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, etc.)

The white wines of 2023 are a bit more mixed, with some regions experiencing lower yields than others, leading to wines with more concentrated flavours. Marsanne and Roussanne-based whites from Hermitage and St-Joseph show notes of stone fruit, honey, and subtle herbal undertones, with a rich mouthfeel, due to the lower acidity. Viognier from Condrieu is particularly aromatic, with lush notes of peach, apricot, and flowers, with the heat of the season has giving the wines a more opulent, full-bodied character.

Highlights by Appellation

Côte-Rôtie: The wines from Côte-Rôtie in 2023 have great depth, with dark fruit flavours, peppery spices, and floral notes that define the region’s signature style. While the heat of the season may have softened the acidity a bit, the wines are nonetheless structured with ripe tannins and a complex finish, making them ideal for aging.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape: 2023 was a warm year in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but the wine quality is very good, with rich, fruit-forward wines that showcase the classic Grenache character. The wines are ripe and lush, with dark berry flavours, garrigue, and a touch of spice. The lower yields have contributed to more concentrated flavours, and the tannins are firm, ensuring the wines will age for several years.

Hermitage: Syrah from Hermitage in 2023 is showing tremendous potential, with dark fruit flavours, a touch of minerality, and a smoky complexity. The wines are structured, rich, and powerful, but also have enough freshness to make them appealing in their youth while offering significant aging potential.

Condrieu: The 2023 vintage in Condrieu saw a slightly lower yield, but the wines are showing strong potential with fragrant aromas of peach, apricot, and subtle floral notes. The Viognier in 2023 is rich and full-bodied but with a certain roundness that makes it approachable early, though it will age beautifully with time.

Potential for Ageing

The wines of 2023, particularly the reds from top appellations like Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, show excellent ageing potential. The concentration of flavours, the firm tannins, and the balance of fruit and acidity will allow these wines to evolve gracefully over the next 10-15 years. However, many of the wines, especially in the Southern Rhône, will also be approachable in the near term, offering plenty of early drinking pleasure.

Conclusion

The 2023 vintage in the Rhône Valley has been one of contrasts - challenging conditions that led to a lower yield, but a harvest that produced wines of great quality and character. Despite the heat, the wines are well-structured, ripe, and full of vibrant fruit, with enough freshness to balance the richness. While the vintage may be marked by lower acidity and earlier harvests, the resulting wines are promising, offering both short-term enjoyment and long-term aging potential. For those willing to navigate the smaller yields and potential for variable acidity, 2023 is a vintage that will deliver compelling wines across the Rhône Valley.

 

 

Rhône 2024: Buyer’s Report

The 2024 vintage in the Rhône Valley is shaping up to be a stellar year, marked by a combination of favourable weather conditions and careful vineyard management. Following a challenging few years with extreme weather events, 2024 brought a sense of balance to the region, resulting in wines that combine freshness, complexity, and concentration. Both red and white wines in the Rhône are expected to shine, with the balance between ripeness and acidity standing out as the hallmark of the year. While the growing season was initially cooler than average, the late summer provided ideal conditions for a full, even ripening of the fruit, leading to wines with exceptional aromatic profiles, vibrant acidity, and solid structure.

Across both the Northern and Southern Rhône, while the overall crop was smaller than usual in some areas, the quality of the fruit was excellent, with very few signs of disease or rot. The vineyards that performed best in 2024 were those with good altitude, proximity to cooling influences (such as the Mistral winds), and those with deep soils capable of retaining moisture during the summer heat.

Red Wines (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, etc.)

The reds of 2024 show a fantastic balance of concentration and freshness. Syrah from the Northern Rhône, particularly from appellations like Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, and Crozes-Hermitage, offers deep, intense aromas of dark berries, black pepper, olive tapenade, and violet flowers. The wines are structured with ripe tannins, balanced acidity, and good ageing potential. The fruit quality is exceptional, and the cooler start to the season has resulted in wines with both power and finesse, making them approachable in their youth but also capable of long-term cellaring.

White Wines (Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, etc.)

The white wines of 2024 show great freshness and balance. Viognier from Condrieu is particularly aromatic, with notes of peach, apricot, and floral nuances, balanced by a crisp, mineral finish. The cooler spring helped maintain acidity in the whites, which is especially evident in wines from St-Joseph and Hermitage, where Marsanne and Roussanne offer rich, textured wines with flavours of pear, almond, and honey, while retaining a zesty backbone. These whites are fresh, vibrant, and complex, with great ageing potential due to their balance of fruit and acidity.

Highlights by Appellation

Côte-Rôtie: 2024 is looking fantastic for Côte-Rôtie, with wines showing exceptional balance and depth. The cooler start to the season resulted in wines that have a fine tannic structure, perfect for long-term ageing. Expect aromas of red berries, olive tapenade, and a touch of smoky spice.

Condrieu: Viognier from Condrieu in 2024 is expected to shine, with rich yet balanced wines that exhibit intense aromas of peach, apricot, and floral notes. The wines are luscious without being overly opulent, making them very drinkable in their youth but with the potential to age beautifully.

Cornas: This appellation, known for its power and intensity, has delivered some truly exceptional wines this year. The fruit is concentrated, with excellent colour extraction, and the wines show richness and structure with a touch of black pepper and minerality that Cornas is known for.

Hermitage: The wines from Hermitage in 2024 are expected to have great ageing potential, with a beautiful combination of fruit intensity and freshness. The Syrah-based reds are expected to show dark fruit flavours, layered with herbal, earthy, and smoky notes, alongside tannins that will support long-term ageing.

St-Joseph: A more varied region, 2024 has been kind to the best terroirs of St-Joseph. The reds show a good balance of power and finesse, with subtle floral and earthy notes, while the whites, particularly those from higher elevations, have a purity and freshness that make them stand out.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape: The 2024 Châteauneuf-du-Pape reds are shaping up to be outstanding, with complex blends of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah offering intense dark fruit flavours, spice, and earthy notes. These wines will have good ageing potential and are expected to develop complexity in the bottle over the next decade.

Gigondas: 2024 in Gigondas looks very promising, with the red wines offering rich, full-bodied fruit with layers of spice, herbs, and black fruit. The wines are structured, with a nice balance of acidity, making them perfect for ageing.

Conclusion

The 2024 vintage in the Northern Rhône is a standout year, offering wines of exceptional quality across both reds and whites. The combination of a cool start, a warm summer, and timely rainfall resulted in balanced, structured wines with ripe fruit and freshness. While 2024 will undoubtedly be remembered for its immediate appeal, it is also a vintage with strong ageing potential, meaning that wine lovers will be able to enjoy the fruits of this exceptional year for many years to come.