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Northern Rhône 2001

The recent Bibendum Rhône tasting was an excellent opportunity to make an initial assessment of the vintage. As the Rhône is best considered as two distinct wine regions, I commence my write-up with the wines of the northern appellations.

The northern appellations, in my opinion, have faired less well than their southern counterparts, but there are still many lovely wines to be found. The appellation leaders (such as Thierry Allemand in Cornas, and Jamet in Côte-Rôtie) have clearly made great efforts, and their wines were interesting and in the case of Jamet quite exotic. These wines clearly demonstrated the necessary structure for future development.

Many wines were good/very good, however, and this is my general view of the 2001 vintage for the northern part of the Rhône Valley. This is not 1999 over again. Many pleasing and worthy wines were made, which should not disappoint those who have purchased, but those who have not need not rush in. Only the top tier of producers have produced truly excellent wines. (12/3/03)

Northern Rhône 2001 - Tasting Notes

Tasted in March 2003. Click to locate stockists:

Robert Niero Condrieu Les Ravines 2001: An aromatic, floral nose, which also belies this wines exposure to oak (Niero matures a significant proportion of this wine in oak, although admittedly not new oak, so its presence is not overpowering). Full, soft, fat even, on the palate, with some sweet almost tropical fruit. Correct acidity. Seems a touch confected and awkward at present, but I suspect this may settle down with time in bottle. Not really my style of Condrieu. 15/20

Robert Niero Côte-Rôtie 2001: Moderate depth of colour with a vibrant hue. Meaty fruit on the nose, which seems open, full and sweet. Good fruit on the palate, although tannins and acidity are low. Overall it seems soft, open knit, bordering on unstructured. 16+/20

JP & JL Jamet Côte-Rôtie 2001: Amazing colour, deep youthful red. A powerful nose of smoky, macerated fruit. Served a little too cool, but the structure shines through, as does the massive abundance of fruit. Smoky edged complexity. Ripe tannins and correct acidity, all well balanced. 17.5+/20

Thierry Allemand Cornas Les Chaillots 2001: An attractive glossy colour. Lovely depth of fruit on the nose although it quickly closes down in the glass. It is rich yet balanced, elegant even, not the powerhouse I expected. Nevertheless it is full with sweet fruit, ripe and spicy tannins and firm acidity. 17.5+/20

Thierry Allemand Cornas Reynard 2001: A somewhat deeper colour here. The nose has great interest, offering aromas of beef extract before it closes down. Big palate, with plenty of sweet fruit, backed up by spicy tannins and matching acidity. This has the necessary elements for development in bottle. Lovely firm finish. 17.5+/20

Rene Rostaing Condrieu La Bonette 2001: Moderate lemon yellow. Fat yet floral fruit on the nose. Similar impression on the palate, with rich characterful fruit, although somewhat low acidity. Not my style of Condrieu. 14.5/20

Rene Rostaing Côte-Rôtie 2001: Moderate depth of colour. There's good typicity on the nose, which demonstrates the floral Viognier-derived elements well. Full and round on the palate, with an excellent depth of fruit. Decent tannins. Very good length. 17+/20

Gilles Barge St Joseph Clos des Martinets 2001: Moderate depth of colour. Quite open and evolved on the nose, with ripe buttery, fruit-crumble richness and vibrant blackberries with a slightly cooked edge. Medium weight, appropriate tannins, acidity on the low side. Pleasing, for early drinking. Value for money. 15+/20

Gilles Barge Côte-Rôtie Cuvée Duplessy 2001: Not a huge depth of colour. Also blackberry fruit, with a more spicy character, opening out to offer roasted notes, herbs and a chewy edge. Quite some tannin on the palate, with nice texture and weight. 16.5+/20

JL Chave St Joseph Offerus 2001: Good depth of colour. A slightly plush character to the fruit on the nose. Sweet cherry and spice with a confected edge, and a note of liquorice. Rounded texture and depth of fruit on the palate, and little length. I taste more from this producer in my profile. 16+/20

Yves Cuilleron St Joseph Les Serines 2001: Vibrant red hue but no great depth of colour. Cherry fruit on the nose. Nicely balanced on the palate, bright cherry flavour, although overall somewhat lean. 14.5+/20

Yves Cuilleron St Joseph L'Amarybelle Vieilles Vignes 2001: Bright, garnet red hue, again no great depth. Chewy, slightly confected cherry nose. Balanced, and some pleasing fruit. Lacks a bit of fat or texture. 15+/20

Yves Cuilleron Côte-Rôtie Terres Sombres 2001: Better depth of colour here. Dusty, cherry fruit nose, with a roasted character. Lovely fruit on the palate, some typicity, with a rounded texture and good balance. Peppery finish. 16+/20

Domaine de Colombier Crozes-Hermitage Blanc Cuvée Gaby 2001: Good presence of white fruits on the nose here, with fresh lemony notes. Full, soft and rounded on the palate. Some cinder toffee notes on the finish indicative of some time in barrel. The acidity is just sufficient and I would drink sooner rather than later. 15.5+/20

Domaine de Colombier Crozes-Hermitage Rouge Cuvée Gaby 2001: Nice depth of colour. A lovely nose, evolved and open, full of fruit, with a perfumed edge. Soft and rounded texture on the palate, with good fruit, and like the white acidity is just sufficient. Should make pleasing short term drinking. 16+/20

Domaine de Colombier Hermitage 2001: Good colour. Full, rich and spicy on the nose, with evident fruit. More structure and depth on the palate, with full body, vibrant fruit and correct acidity. Moderate tannins will provide some staying power. 16.5+/20

Philippe Desmeure Crozes-Hermitage Blanc Cuvée Christophe 2001: A pale yellow wine, with a vibrant hint of green. Pleasant white fruit with a hint of smoke and toffee. Soft, full and ripe on the palate, nicely textured, with balanced acidity. 16+/20

Philippe Desmeure Hermitage Blanc Cuvée Emilie 2001: A deeper, lemon-yellow hue. Smoke and cinder toffee nose. Served a little too cool, but evidently well made, with clean structure and plenty of ripe, weighty fruit. Prominent acidity. Destined to improve in the cellar. 16+/20

Philippe Desmeure Crozes-Hermitage Rouge Cuvée Christophe 2001: A good depth of colour for the appellation. Evolved and spicy nose, with plenty of fruit. Fairly tight on the palate, with evident structure. Clean finish and a bit of length. 16+/20

Philippe Desmeure Hermitage Rouge Cuvée Emilie 2001: A good colour, with moderate depth and a glossy appearance. Smoky, macerated fruit on the nose, with a sweet, chewy edge. Nevertheless it is full, balanced and elegant on the palate, with lovely berry fruit and some typicity. Correct acidity, just on the firm side, and will improve in the cellar. 17+/20