Chateau de Vaudieu at Chateauneuf-du-Pape: one of many 5 star reds (image: drinkrhone.com)

Livingstone-Learmonth praised the Northern Rhône highly in the April issue of Decanter. In the May issue, on sale 4th April, he speaks highly of Southern Rhône.

‘I place 2010 in the top three of my 40 years covering the Rhône, alongside the 1978 and the 1990,’ he writes.

The vintage wins on several counts, but mainly because it ‘embraces improved winemaking with that lucky draw – a fabulous harmony of ripening.’

Thus the wines are ripe, harmonious, with gentle tannins and a depth of fruit that means they will develop evenly for many years.

This is true, Livingstone-Learmonth says, at every level, from Cotes du Rhône and Cotes du Rhône-Villages (‘they express the vintage’s drinkability to a tee’) to Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas and other top villages.

While Grenache suffered from cold weather in June, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvedre were ‘able replacements.’

Even the Cinsault was superb, the critic writes. ‘Emmanuel Reynaud atChateau Rayas described his as “rich, a marvel”.’

Read the full article with tasting notes on more than 30 wines in the May issue of Decanter, on sale 4th April.