2015 Rhône En Primeur

“With regards to 2015, the hype machine is in full swing and some very knowledgeable people I trust have made serious claims about the vintage. I was in the Rhône Valley for both the Southern and Northern Rhône harvests, and while the vintage will no doubt be strong for both, the north might have the edge for a truly extraordinary vintage” – Jeb Dunnock, erobertparker.com

“Northern Rhône: Excellent reds everywhere.. Dense, lingering wine with freshness, long-lived. Good, if sometimes heady, whites. Southern Rhône: Very good: rich, dark, fulsome, lots of body, often enticing flair. Quality high across board. Good, also full, whites.” – Hugh Johnson

The 2015 vintage in the Rhône is looking very good with comparisons being made to great vintages like 2010, 2007 and even such legendary vintages as 1961 and 1947. The Northern Rhône appears to be the standout region, but the South is hard on its heels.

Both regions enjoyed a long, hot growing season that provided almost ideal grapes by harvest time. The key to the vintage seems to have been maintaining freshness amid some very ripe fruit and avoiding over-extracting. Those estates that have managed both have every reason to be excited about this year’s crop.

We’ll be out tasting the wines the week commencing the 7th of November and will report in full on our return. In the meantime we have decided that the vintage looks so promising that we will hold a Rhône En Primeur tasting for the first time in a few years.

We are hoping to receive samples from the likes of:

Francois VillardPierre GaillardNatacha ChaveClos du CaillouGrand VeneurMordoréeFerme du Mont Monardière

And will be showing them on the 24th of November in the lovely surroundings of the Merchant Taylors Hall, 30 Threadneedle St, London EC2R 8JB

If you’d like to join us, please RSVP to finewine@genesiswines.com, but please be aware that places are limited.