Domaine Grosset Cairanne Cotes du Rhone Villages 2021

Vintage quality: Average (Good)

Current condition: Keep

Like much of France, the 2021 Rhône Valley vintage suffered from a difficult growing season.

Unlike much of France, winter and early spring for much of the Rhône was relatively dry, although temperatures were still very mild. In fact, the first few weeks of spring saw unusual highs which naturally prompted vine growth.

However, this benign weather was not to last and April delivered a series of bitter frosts that dramatically cut yields. Summer came and the weather remained patchy throughout with persistent drizzle in June culminating in dramatic thunderstorms throughout July and August. The humidity meant producers had to be constantly on their guard against disease while the lack of consistent sun meant ripening times were slow.

When it came to the harvest, producers were naturally nervous. The grapes were slow to reach phenolic ripeness and, as a result, the harvest was later, longer and slower than normal. Fortunately, however, it was mostly picked in good weather.

The resulting wines were, despite the difficulties of the growing season, surprisingly good. In general, both the reds and whites have been described as sophisticated with good structure and acidity and although alcohol was lower than in other years, there was still enough to give body. Like the alcohol, the fruit character was less intense than in previous years but what was there was fresh, clear and pretty.

For the big red northern Rhône appellations like Saint-Joseph and Hermitage, the black and white pepper notes still came through strong, but the wines themselves tended to be more restrained favoring elegance over bombast. The whites also benefited from being fresh, elegant and aromatic rather overblown. The vintage may favors whites over reds as Grenache suffered in the frosts, although Syrah tended to be beautiful and the whites of Crozes-Hermitage are said to be particularly good.

Although the vintage was difficult, it is likely that some very good wines have been made – the best examples may even be quite age-worthy – careful research, however, is advisable.