Vintages: North Flashcards
2016
Hail in Hermitage reduced yields (not quality).
2015
Looking to be historic year. Heat & drought, but well timed rain and cool nights. Might rival 2010, 90, & 61
2014
Inconsistent. Early drinking. (Drosophila Fruit Fly)
2013
Decent, cool dry season - late rains (so those who picked early enough were okay)
2012
Decent in Rhone (better than rest of Europe). More acid than 2011
2011
Would have been better, but untimely rain before harvest. Good, but overshadowed by 2010 & 2009
2010
Low production bc of spring rains that disrupted flowering, but late, long indian summer made for one of the best ever (according to Jancis)
2009
Hot, full year. Mid august rains kept wines fresh.
2008
many opted not to make top wines. tough year, but better than 2002. better for whites.
2007
Best in Cote Rotie & Cornas. Wet spring, but Perfect Sept saved harvest.
2006
Promising, again saved by Sept weather.
2005
Long term cellaring. Excellent.
2004
Welcome return to normal temps post 2003. Fast developing.
2003
Heat wave!
2002
Miserable weather. Cool, grey, rotten grapes, esp for reds. Some whites harvested in time, though.
2001
More elegant than 2000.
2000
Structured. Rains in August, but good Sept. “Charming”
1999
Good quantities, great vintage. Stunning Cote Rotie.
1998
Approaching peak. Dry summer stressed vines.
1997
Early maturing.
1996
High acid, but refined and elegant.
1995
Often overlooked. Promising wines of concentration.
1994
Sept rain made for variability.
1993
Lots of rain. Light reds.
1992
Rain. rain. rain.
1991
Soft & fragrant. Cote Rotie’s jam.
1990
Massive & rich. Stunning, esp in Hermitage.
1989
“Opulent” (from two sources) Drought year.
1988
Aging potential.
1987
?
1985
Drink ASAP. Early maturing soft wines.
1984
?
1983
BEST. (ha, jK) but muscular, finally ready to drink.
Older Vintages of note
82, 79, 78, 76, 69, 66, 64, 61, 59, 49
