Rhone (South) - 2003

Chunky wines with high but ripe tannins meant for laying down.

Only those whose nickname is Olympic Flame (never goes out) can have failed to realise that summer 2003 was one long, hot event. The southern Rhône's vineyards stood the heat well. The water table was high after the deluges of autumn 2002 so areas with clay subsoil were fine. More draining soils suffered, but often can be irrigated up till mid-August. Old vines – deeper root systems – fared better than young ones.

In the best cases, this meant incredible concentration. It's a triumphant year for the southern syrah, a good year for the mourvèdre. Everyone talks of a healthy harvest, not a trace of rot.

The Gard area – Lirac, Tavel, Laudun – was the hottest, driest zone; storms at Rasteau, Cairanne and Gigondas – all with clay – dropped around 80mm (3+ in) of rain, but Châteauneuf-du-Pape was drier.

Though there were some mixed results there were some outstanding wines made.