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Whites from the Rhône are among the biggest, fattest and most long-lived in the world. While purity and acidity also feature, it is the richness of Viognier and its allies, Marsanne and Roussanne that make these wines stand out. Some, such as that from Château de Beaucastel, have an intensity, southern warmth and complexity that sets them apart; Condrieu, from the North is stylish, with a real streak of elegance in its make-up. Quite a contrast, yet both age magnificently. In between these two classics are the likes of Crozes-Hermitage from Domaine Mucyn, or the Réserve from Perrin, offering wines with depth of flavour to tackle food while not breaking the bank.
2008 - solid vintage where careful winemaking yielded fresh, balanced wines for short to medium term. Wines to enjoy while waiting for the slumbering wines from 2007, 2006 , 2005 and 2004 to develop.
2007 - even better than the outstanding 2006, 2005 and 2004s. Rich, beautifully balanced, complex wines with wonderful structure. These will be supreme with cellar age.
2006 - a classic vintage of top wines with excellent fruit and superb structure. Wines that will develop beautifully in the cellar for years to come.
2005 - a hotter year with big, well structured wines that are riper and more forward in style compared with 2004.
2004 - very pure wines with fresh fruit for early drinking and capable of ageing well.
2003 - a good vintage with some big, rich wines, particularly in the south. The start of a run of brilliant vintages for the Rhône.
2002 - saw a lot of rain in some parts of the south, slightly better in the north.
2001 - very good with concentrated and balanced wines in both north and south.
2000 - similar to 1999 in both the north and south, with well rounded, medium term wines.
1999 - soft, full wines for medium term drinking.
1998 - big, tannic wines especially in the south and Châteauneuf-du-Pape in particular which proved to be very consistent. Classic vintage in the north.
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