Rhône 2008 tasting notes – a guide

Halfway through my tasting of several hundred 2008 Châteauneufs, I realised there was something familiar about these juicy, attractive, but rather light fruity reds. Of course! They reminded me of inexpensive Spanish Garnachas at a fraction of the price.

2008 was a very difficult vintage throughout the Rhône, as my overview outlines in more detail – although the very top producers seem somehow to have conjured up some pretty delicious wines. For the most part, however, I leave you with Julia's typically acute conclusions after she had tasted far fewer 2008 Rhônes than me:

'Southern Rhônes a struggle, and an...