wizzywoo wrote:
(I had it in my head that 2008 was a good rhone vintage - apparently it was the worst for about 20 years)
The Northern Rhone was same as 2002
not great , so that cheap Saint Joe will be without body and depth of flavour , Southern Rhone not so bad and better than 1996.
Hey Wizz .... That chateau neuf will be early developing, if you bought cheap, swig down, probably ok, much depends on whether the Co-op bought a load of 3rd & 4th pass reject stuff. The notable producers will have selected less fruit for their Marque, therefore the dross could be a tad better than in a normal year
...they have contracts.... Think positive
When looking at wines from the traditional appelations in France, you can map the situation without too much learning. For bulk co-op wines, it is a question of "Suck It and See" as you know. Crap wine can be returned, mediocre wine also.
We have been spoilt rotten by '07 Rhones, we may have to get used to lower satisfaction levels in the future