The third week in November was devoted to the vintage of Rhône wines currently being offered by several UK merchants. We tried to encourage some sort of concurrence between the timing of the different offers but, alas, as reported in Rhône primeur offers – we tried, we failed. We've decided to publish the 2013 Rhône reviews earlier than usual, to try to avoid the usual post-Christmas glut of en primeur reports on Burgundy and Italy. You'll have more than enough Burgundy and Italy to feast your eyes on come January and February, so just as the weather starts to get properly chilly here in the northern hemisphere, we can comfort ourselves with the warmth and spice of the Rhône.
The articles listed below are split into two groups: tasting articles and other reports on the vintage such as general observations and insider information. The most recently published article is at the top of the list and, to whet your appetite, we've also listed the articles still to come this week. Note that the Chapoutier article offers quite a bit of background to the weather in 2013.
Last year we collated a list of UK merchants selling Rhône 2012 en primeur, and we have started a very similar merchant roster for the 2013s, but as it is still early days bear in mind that this is a work in progress . H2Vin, Justerini & Brooks and Goedhuis have already held their tastings, and we've added their tasting notes to our articles below.
TASTING ARTICLES
More Rhône 2013s – 9 Mar 2015
Côtes du Rhône and the rest of southern Rhône – 21 Nov 2014
Northern Rhône – 20 Nov 2014
Châteauneuf-du-Pape – 19 November 2014
Gigondas – 18 Nov 2014
Vacqueyras 17 Nov 2014
Chapoutier Sélections Parcellaires 2013 19 May 2014
OTHER COVERAGE
Overview of the vintage 22 November 2014
Coulure shrinks 2013 Grenache crop 13 Aug 2013