The 2019 vintage was a hard act to follow-a stunning year offering wines of power, concentration and longevity-yet the 2020 harvest offers a lot to get excited about. Since last year's report, Wine Spectator has reviewed more than 475 wines from the Northern and Southern Rhône, the bulk of which are from the 2020 vintage. In total, 369 wines earned ratings of 90 points or higher, including 60 wines that scored in the classic range of 95-plus. An impressive 143 wines rated 88 or more points while costing $30 or less, illustrating the region's ability to deliver both grands vins and great value.
As in previous years, the Rhône experienced very hot, dry conditions throughout much of the 2020 growing season, yet the wines show excellent freshness and slightly lower alcohol levels than in recent vintages. Although just recently released, they offer a lot of early drinking pleasure.
The Southern Rhône: Balance & Accessibility
While the red wines lack some of the concentration of 2019, they offer beautiful freshness and superb fruit purity. Because of their silky tannins, they are drinking well out of the gate, without the need for much cellaring, if any. The year's white wines also show good balance and vibrancy, with higher acidity levels nicely buoying generous ripe fruit character.
Quality was more heterogeneous than 2019 across the board, with top terroirs and producers shining more brightly. For fans of elegance over power, the 2020s deliver.
Denne historien er fra February 28, 2023-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra February 28, 2023-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Shipwrecked Champagne Hoard Discovered Near Sweden
It sometimes feels like wine has a habit of falling into the briny deep. On July 23, Polish wreck diver and underwater photographer Tomasz Stachura announced that he and his Baltictech team had discovered the wreck of a 19th-century sailing ship near Öland, an island off the coast of Sweden—and it was crammed with bottles of Champagne and mineral water.
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War in Middle East Affects Vintners
The 2024 harvest at Israel’s Dalton Winery was punctuated by nonstop rocket and drone attacks launched from just across the border in Hezbollah-controlled southern Lebanon.
Wineries Sue Napa County in Federal Court
Three Napa wineries filed a joint lawsuit in federal court in September alleging that Napa County officials violated their constitutional rights.
Savoring Persimmon Season
For many, persimmons are an enigma ingredient. Chef David Nayfeld of Award of Excellence-winning Che Fico in San Francisco and its Best of Award of Excellence sibling dangling persimmons off the tree with a stick at a childhood friend's house before realizing what they were. \"I remember his parents saying, 'Hey, don't hit the persimmons, those are food!\"\"
Tasting Plate: A German Six-Pack
Though it boasts Western Europe’s largest population and biggest economy, Germany is nowhere near the cheese juggernaut its neighbors Switzerland and France are. That said, the Germans love their fine cheeses, and they do turn out some excellent ones, fortunately including more than a handful that are currently available here in the U.S.
Gigondas Blanc Est Arrivé!
Ask winemakers in the Southern Rhône to name the most exciting white grape in their region and you will hear a growing number of them say \"Clairette.\"
Kistler's DARKER SIDE
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ups the ante at the house that Chardonnay built
THE SPLENDOR OF CHAMPAGNE
THE REGION'S LEADING PRODUCERS DELIVER HIGH QUALITY AMID A DIVERSE RANGE OF STYLES
MICHAEL BATTERBERRY: 1932-2010 Gourmet, Journalist, Gentleman
Before Food Network, Top Chef or Yelp ... before the term “foodie\" ... before tomatoes were heirloom and sushi was fast food... back when fancy restaurants were always French... Michael Batterberry and his wife, Ariane, were working to celebrate and elevate the status of American chefs and international cuisine. Julie Mautner, Food Arts' former executive editor, looks at the life and legacy of her late mentor, affectionately known as The Bat.
