Rhone 2010
All the vintage conditions in 2010 point to an outstanding year for Rhone wine.
Constant warm temperatures in Rhone throughout the year provided even ripening conditions giving a gradual increase in flavour and complexity. Dry weather in September enabled the harvest to be carried out in dry conditions and allowed growers to wait for maturity without storms or sudden heat spikes. What is striking from our visit is the finesse of the tannins. The tannin structure and good acidity levels from the warm (not hot) vintage gave wines in 2010 from the Rhone Valley a buoyant freshness, which added to powerful fruit, will age well.
Unlike the high glycerol funhouse that was 2007 and 2009, wines from Rhone 2010 show more restrained alcohol and a profound depth that is difficult to compare with other vintages in this decade. The only downside for the customer is the reduced yields in many vineyards means less quantity will be available.
Here's what the critics say on Rhone 2010:
John Livingstone-Learmonth, Drink Rhone: "I like to be cautious about vintage pronouncements, but I have been struck by enthusiasm for 2010 from two fine and discreet stables, that of Georges Vernay at Condrieu, and Jean-Louis Chave at Hermitage. If I add in Domaine Jamet at Cote-Rotie, Clape at Cornas and Bernard Faurie at Hermitage, you can see that 1) I have been keeping pretty good company and 2) the tom tom drums augur well for 2010."
Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate: "Concerning the 2010 vintage, readers should keep in mind that it was looking to be a very tiny crop as well as another dry growing season. However, the region did receive the rain necessary for these dry-farmed vineyards in mid-September. It's too early to say, but 2010 could turn out to be a very small but fascinating vintage in the southern Rhone."
La Revue Du Vin De France: (Rhone 2010) "You are going to adore these 2010s. Small yields in the South, beautiful acidity and impressive ripeness in the North, 2010 promises to be superb quality. The wines will be delicious in the richness of their youth but equally age-worthy. Isn't that the definition of a Big vintage? A late style, built on considerable tannin (Clape Cornas 2010)".
John Livingstone-Learmonth, Decanter magazine: "White Rhone 2010: Excellent vintage in both northern and southern Rhone, led by freshness and free-flowing fruit. Good acidity, so the wines can live."
Read all about our trip to taste the Rhone 2010 wines on our blog
Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape 2010
- Region: Rhone
- Vintage: 2010
- Country: France
- Size: 6 x 75cl
- Score: 92-94+ /100 Robert Parker
Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape 2010 Magnums
- Region: Rhone
- Vintage: 2010
- Country: France
- Size: 6 x 150cl
- Score: 92-94+ /100 Robert Parker
Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes Roussanne 2010
- Region: Rhone
- Vintage: 2010
- Country: France
- Size: 6 x 75cl
- Score: 94 / 100 Robert Parker
Beaucastel Coudoulet de Beaucastel 2010 Magnums
- Region: Rhone
- Vintage: 2010
- Country: France
- Size: 6 x 150cl
- Score: 88-90 / 100 Robert Parker
C & P Bonnefond Cote Rotie Cote Rozier 2010
- Region: Rhone
- Vintage: 2010
- Country: France
- Size: 6 x 75cl
C & P Bonnefond Cote Rotie les Rochains 2010
- Region: Rhone
- Vintage: 2010
- Country: France
- Size: 6 x 75cl
Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Chateau de Beaucastel 2010
- Region: Rhone
- Vintage: 2010
- Country: France
- Size: 6 x 75cl
- Score: 90 / 100 Robert Parker
Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape 2010
- Region: Rhone
- Vintage: 2010
- Country: France
- Size: 12 x 75cl
- Score: 96-98 / 100 Robert Parker
SOLD OUT
Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc 2010
- Region: Rhone
- Vintage: 2010
- Country: France
- Size: 12 x 75cl
- Score: 93 / 100 Robert Parker
Cotes du Rhone Coudoulet de Beaucastel 2010
- Region: Rhone
- Vintage: 2010
- Country: France
- Size: 12 x 75cl
- Score: 88-90 / 100 Robert Parker
Domaine du Colombier Crozes Hermitage Cuvee Gaby Blanc 2010
- Region: Rhone
- Vintage: 2010
- Country: France
- Size: 12 x 75cl
Grand Veneur Chateauneuf du Pape 2010
- Region: Rhone
- Vintage: 2010
- Country: France
- Size: 12 x 75cl
- Score: 90-93 / 100 Robert Parker
Grand Veneur Chateauneuf du Pape Les Origines 2010
- Region: Rhone
- Vintage: 2010
- Country: France
- Size: 12 x 75cl
- Score: 94-96 / 100 Robert Parker
Grand Veneur Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes 2010
- Region: Rhone
- Vintage: 2010
- Country: France
- Size: 12 x 75cl
- Score: 95-99 / 100 Robert Parker
Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone Les Champauvins 2010
- Region: Rhone
- Vintage: 2010
- Country: France
- Size: 12 x 75cl
- Score: 89 - 91 / 100 Robert Parker
Grand Veneur Lirac Clos du Sixte 2010
- Region: Rhone
- Vintage: 2010
- Country: France
- Size: 12 x 75cl
- Score: 90-92 / 100 Robert Parker
La Bastide Saint Dominique Chateauneuf du Pape Hesperides 2010
- Region: Rhone
- Vintage: 2010
- Country: France
- Size: 12 x 75cl
- Score: 90-93+ / 100 Robert Parker
La Ferme du Mont Chateauneuf du Pape Cotes Capelan 2010
- Region: Rhone
- Vintage: 2010
- Country: France
- Size: 6 x 75cl
- Score: 93-95 / Robert Parker
