The weather in 2001 in the northern Rhône was rather like the wines - a mixed bag. February and March were wet but warm, April was cold and dry, May discouragingly humid. Flowering was completed quickly in early June and green harvesting was needed to keep the crop levels down. The rest of the summer was dry and warmer than average even though July turned out cloudy and on the cool side. Storms on Aug 21 were less than welcome.   After cool, cloudy conditions in the first week of September, the fine weather returned. Overall, the vintage has been described as good rather than great, and the best wines have developed...