Brief Overview of Northern Rhone Vintage Chart

Cote Rotie and Hermitage (2004 to 2018)

The Northern Rhone Vintage Chart is used by vintners and wine buyers alike to determine which vintage is the best in the Northern Rhone region. It is also used to figure out what is to be expected in the current year’s harvest. In other words, we can say that the Northern Rhone Vintage Chart that basically covers the Hermitage vintage and the Cote Rotie vintages provides accurate rankings of each classic ranging from 2004 to 2018, as well as fundamental guidance on whether to polish off or cellar your wines, as well as wine and food match suggestions.

How To Use

The vintage chart is a kind of solid guide to the vintages and wines of the Northern Rhone Valley, with a concentration on Hermitage and Cote Rotie vintage charts. While each appellation is unique, the information provided here will assist you in locating wines that you appreciate, as well as determining whether or not your drink is ready to be consumed.

Vintage Chart (1978 to 2018)

• Here’s a guide to the key appellations and vintages of the Northern Rhône Valley:

  Appellation	Primary Grape Varieties	Notable Vintages	Wine Characteristics
  Côte-Rôtie	Syrah, Viognier	2010, 2015, 2019	Dark fruits, pepper, floral notes, often with a touch of oak. Can be co-fermented with Viognier to add aromatic complexity.
  Condrieu	Viognier	2011, 2016, 2018	Highly aromatic, with notes of peach, apricot, and almond. Rich and full-bodied.
  Saint-Joseph	Syrah, Marsanne, Roussanne	2009, 2012, 2017	Red wines are fruity with blackberry and mineral notes. Whites are aromatic and full-bodied.
  Hermitage	Syrah, Marsanne, Roussanne	2007, 2009, 2015	Reds are powerful, with black fruit, leather, and spice. Whites are rich and nutty, with stone fruit and honey.
  Crozes-Hermitage	Syrah, Marsanne, Roussanne	2010, 2013, 2016	Reds are more approachable, with red and black fruit flavors. Whites are fresh and fruity.
  Cornas	Syrah	2005, 2010, 2018	Dark and robust, with flavors of blackberry, tar, and smoke.

  Notes:

  1. The vintages listed are some of the standout years for each appellation, but this is not exhaustive. Vintage quality can vary based on many factors, including weather and winemaking practices.
  2. The wine characteristics are general descriptors and can vary based on the specific vineyard, producer, and vintage.

  1. Côte-Rôtie

  • Terroir: Steep terraced vineyards with schist and granite soils.
  • Notable Producers:
    • Guigal (especially their “La La” wines: La Mouline, La Turque, and La Landonne)
    • Jean-Paul Jamet
    • Domaine Rostaing
  • Additional Notes: The name “Côte-Rôtie” translates to “roasted slope,” reflecting the region’s sun-drenched vineyards.

  2. Condrieu

  • Terroir: Granite-based soils, which contribute to the wine’s minerality.
  • Notable Producers:
    • E. Guigal
    • Domaine Georges Vernay
    • Domaine François Villard
  • Additional Notes: This appellation is exclusively for white wines made from Viognier, producing some of the world’s best expressions of this grape.

  3. Saint-Joseph

  • Terroir: Varied soils, including granite, schist, and gneiss.
  • Notable Producers:
    • Domaine Jean-Louis Chave
    • Domaine Coursodon
    • Domaine Faury
  • Additional Notes: Originally known for its white wines, today, the appellation produces more red than white.

  4. Hermitage

  • Terroir: Diverse soils, including granite, limestone, and clay.
  • Notable Producers:
    • Domaine Jean-Louis Chave
    • M. Chapoutier
    • Paul Jaboulet Aîné (especially their “La Chapelle” wine)
  • Additional Notes: The hill of Hermitage is a historic wine-producing area, and its wines were once blended into Bordeaux to add richness.

  5. Crozes-Hermitage

  • Terroir: Varied soils, from stony terraces to flatter lands with more alluvial soils.
  • Notable Producers:
    • Domaine Alain Graillot
    • Cave de Tain
    • Domaine Combier
  • Additional Notes: This is the largest appellation in the Northern Rhône and offers some more approachable and value-driven wines.

  6. Cornas

  • Terroir: Granite soils, which give the wines a distinct minerality.
  • Notable Producers:
    • Auguste Clape
    • Domaine Vincent Paris
    • Domaine Courbis
  • Additional Notes: Cornas wines are known for their robust character and can benefit from aging.

  General Notes:

  • The Northern Rhône Valley is cooler than its southern counterpart, leading to wines with more acidity and often more structure.
  • Syrah from the Northern Rhône is distinct from New World expressions, often showing more savory, peppery, and floral characteristics.
  • The whites of the Northern Rhône, primarily made from Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne, are known for their aromatic complexity and rich texture.

Everything You Need to Know About Northern Cote du Rhone

On This Day

1979: A lighter vintage with some excellent wines. Those, however, must be consumed as quickly as possible.

1981: A less-than-ideal vintage yielded light, quick-drinking wines that must be consumed as soon as possible.

1982: A fascinating vintage with varying results depending on the producer and the geography.

Want to read more? Try these books!

References

1. Northern Rhône Valley | Vintage Charts.” Wine Spectator, 2016, www.winespectator.com/vintage-charts/region/rhone-northern. Accessed 7 Nov. 2022.
2. Camus, Julien. “Rhône Valley Vintage Chart.” Www.winescholarguild.org, www.winescholarguild.org/resources/vintage-charts/rhone-valley-vintage-charts-ratings. Accessed 7 Nov. 2022.
3. Vinous | Explore All Things Wine.” n.d. Vinous.com. Accessed November 7, 2022. https://vinous.com/articles/northern-rhone-a-first-look-at-the-2019s-may-2020.
4. Camus, Julien. “Rhône Valley Vintage Chart.” Www.winescholarguild.org, www.winescholarguild.org/resources/vintage-charts/rhone-valley-vintage-charts-ratings. Accessed 7 Nov. 2022.