NORTHERN RHONE 2018

Unlike in the south, for some producers in the north the 2018 vintage was something dreams are made of. It was very hot and dry, resulting in a plentiful, ripe crop. While there were many wines with low acidity and potent alcohol, those that could achieve balance were impressive.

It’s not that the conditions were wildly different – both ends of the Rhône valley experienced a wet spring followed by a sweltering summer – but in the north these conditions translated themselves into large yields of ripe fruit, often very ripe.

Growers were pleased, and occasionally delighted, with the results; Stéphane Montez of Domaine de Monteillet in Côte-Rôtie said it was ‘the vintage everyone dreams about’.

The rains in the north mostly arrived later in May and June, encouraging rapid plant growth and raising the spectre