Rhône 2016 – northern reds

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See this guide to our extensive coverage of 2016 Rhône. For a more detailed review of the northern Rhône in 2016, see this overview

After g(re)nashing my teeth for a week in the southern Rhône, it was a relief to drive north into Syrah country. The ripeness of the 2016 vintage was sometimes ovewhelming in southern reds, but how did it affect the typically less weighty wines of the north? 

Another week of tasting in situ revealed that quality is equally high. Many other observers are declaring southern reds superior, but I didn't find this to be the...