2013 NORTHERN RHÔNE

2013 has come up trumps, and I was impressed with the quality shown by the Syrah wines at the end of January 2015. Acidity levels have been well absorbed, and the wines hold good content. The lack of crop is an issue when it comes to pricing and availability, however.

It is also an excellent year for the MARSANNE-based whites, which are rich and prolonged - ideal for la table. Hence whites from SAINT-JOSEPH, CROZES-HERMITAGE, HERMITAGE and SAINT-PÉRAY - are all worth buying. It is a bit more tricky at CONDRIEU; the CONDRIEUS I have tasted, from YVES CUILLERON, LIONEL FAURY and FRANÇOIS VILLARD have been juicy and full, aided by what FRANÇOIS MERLIN has termed "freshness, not acidity." Their tasting notes have been posted. Look for the LVT 2013 wh tab beside the Domaine name.

Full appellation reports have all been posted, so please click on The Leading Wines subtab to read those. These run in the following sequence from top to bottom

1. 2013 SAINT-PÉRAY

2. 2013 SAINT-JOSEPH RED

3. 2013 SAINT-JOSEPH WHITE

4. 2013 CORNAS

5. 2013 CROZES-HERMITAGE WHITE

6. 2013 CROZES-HERMITAGE RED

7. 2013 CÔTE-RÔTIE

8. 2013 HERMITAGE WHITE

9. 2013 CONDRIEU

9. 2013 HERMITAGE RED

10. 2013 CÔTES DU RHÔNE RED, WHITE

11. 2013 VIN DE FRANCE/VIN DE PAYS RED, WHITE