Rhone 2005 Vintage Report

The summer was dry and hot, though not even close to the extremes of 2003. Temperature fluctuations between day and night resulted in wines with great freshness, depth of complexity and aromatics. A mere sprinkling of rainfall in early September helped refresh the grapes and facilitated the slow completion of maturation. Berries were small, which resulted in higher levels of concentration and a reduction in volume of up to 30% in some cases. The long, dry sunny season easily achieved an optimum level of ripeness. The dry conditions forced the vines to dig deep underground to find moisture, and therefore more mineral nutrients, capturing flavour, minerality and complexity. The grape skins were thicker than usual, sugar levels were high and acid levels perfectly balanced. These perfect growing conditions, without the threat of rot and disease, afforded the growers plenty of time to lie back in the sun resting their feet on the row-end posts.

To choose an appellation or village that excelled more than its counterparts or that stood out as the success story in 2005 would be almost impossible. Not unlike Bordeaux and Burgundy, the quality of the 2005s can be found right across the board. The smaller and less renowned villages, such as Cairanne or Gigondas, succeeded in producing wines that are as ripe, concentrated, balanced and fine as those of the greatest wines in Châteauneuf and Côte Rôtie. These are Vins de Garde in the most pure sense.

In classic Southern style, the wines of Châteauneuf exude warmth and rich spicy notes. The Grenache grape clearly revelled and flourished in the heat, producing wines of phenomenal structure, concentration of fruit and energetic acidities. In the Northern Rhône, greater contrast of night and day temperatures has resulted in wines of great finesse, minerality and complexity. The warmer conditions enjoyed throughout the summer of 2005 produced wines of wonderful ripeness and increased levels of concentration, while at the same time maintaining their hallmark terroir characteristics. There was not a single hint of greenness that can very often plague the wines of the North.

Prices for top producers are inevitably high, but producers in the Rhône Valley tend to employ the Burgundian model of pricing rather than the Bordelais. Some growers have made the decision not to increase their prices this year, and those that have are merely reflecting the reduction in volume in 2005.

On this trip to the Rhône we had the opportunity to taste a number of wines from the 2004 vintage again. A vintage that has been somewhat underrated and overshadowed by others before and after it, the 2004s boast wonderful finesse and quality. Classic, finely structured and well-priced, these will be drinking extremely well in the medium term. Be careful not to overlook them in the scramble for the 2005s, as these are undeniably a wise purchase, offering excellent value for money.

We are very proud of our selection of 2005 Rhônes, which we are very proud of and heartily recommend to you.

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