Rhone (North) - 2002

Classic concentration and power.

The northern Rhône was afflicted by a series of problems during the year – poor flowering, hail, rot – and the yields could be minus 60% in places. July and August were indifferent.

The northern Rhône has more chance this year, providing growers have been conscientious enough to discard special <i>cuvees</i> and make just one wine. The fruit is gummy in texture, not very clear, and chaptalisation was frequent – the last vintage for this was 1993.