Region · Rhône, France
Rhône Valley
ROHN
Syrah in the north, sun in the south
Two regions sharing a river. Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, and Cornas are steep Syrah; the south is Grenache country, with Châteauneuf-du-Pape as the cathedral.
- blackberry
- pepper
- garrigue
- smoke
- olive
Northern Rhône is granite, a continental climate, and Syrah (with Viognier in Côte-Rôtie). White Hermitage — Marsanne and Roussanne — is one of France's great, under-ordered whites. Southern Rhône is Mediterranean: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Côtes du Rhône as the everyday pour, Gigondas and Vacqueyras as the step up.
Châteauneuf can be 13 grapes, or 100% Grenache, or a modern Syrah-heavy blend. Galets roulés (pudding stones) are the postcard; old vines and wind (the Mistral) are the wine.
Lamb, olives, and herbs in the south; peppered steak and game in the north.
Vintage
Default is Northern Rhône Syrah. The south was easier in 2016, 2019, 2020; mildew stung 2018 down there.
| Year | Call | Character |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Hold | Small crop, balanced reports. In barrel. |
| 2024 | Careful | Wet work, small. Buy growers. |
| 2023 | Hold | The south had the easier year. Still young. |
| 2022 | Hold | Drought and heat. Concentrated; wait on Hermitage. |
| 2021 | Drink | Cooler, fresher, earlier. A drinker’s vintage. |
| 2020 | Hold | Generous. North still has more to say. |
| 2019 | Hold | Excellent on both banks. Keep the serious bottles. |
| 2018 | Careful | Mildew in the south. North fared better — pick names. |
| 2017 | Drink | Hot. Most Crozes and Côtes are open. |
| 2016 | Hold | The south’s landmark. Châteauneuf still climbing. |
| 2015 | Drink | Great north and south. Much of it singing. |
| 2014 | Careful | Rain. Drink remaining village. |
| 2013 | Drink | Cooler north, savory, ready. |
| 2012 | Drink | Solid and open. |
| 2011 | Drink | Ready. Don’t cellar further. |
At the table
Service
North 61–64 °F (16–18 °C); south 59–63 °F (15–17 °C). Young Hermitage likes a decant.
