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Rhône 2021 northern Rhône

Rhône 2021 – an overview of the north

Alistair Cooper
Alistair Cooper MW
Tuesday 29 November 2022
Stéphane Ogier entrance Ampuis

Now an overview of this complicated vintage in the north. We'll eventually have provided 900+ tasting notes – essential guidance in such a challenging year. See this guide to our comprehensive coverage. Above, Côte Rôtie vines beside Stéphane Ogier's premises in Ampuis.

When I asked Jean-Louis Chave to briefly sum up the 2021 vintage, his answer was distinctly and unexpectedly brief: 'Rain'. He did embellish when pushed, citing one other significant event – yes, you’ve guessed it, frost. Rain and frost really were the defining features and subsequently the biggest challenges that vignerons in the northern Rhône faced during this...