2009 Rhône – Profund Syrahs From the North; Wild Grenache-Based Blends From the South. Oh, and Some Very Exciting Whites from All Over!

Plus…the Best of the 2008 Vintage

The Region and the Wine

N.B. With the new systems upgrade in our office has come a glitch in uploading photographs to the Bowes Wine website. To see images of my recent trip to the Rhône Valley, please go to our page on flickr

The pinched granite cheeks of the Northern Rhône vineyards purse archly around the slightly grimly-set and determinedly wet mouth of the river that passes with such latent force between them. Here, in 2009, have been produced some truly exceptional wines, both red and white. ’09 is one of the north’s great harvests, without doubt.

Drive south and the fundamental differences between these two regions – Septentrional (north) and Méridional (south) – are blindingly obvious. Over the course of one’s journey the landscape, the wines, the atmosphere all alter quite perceptibly. One leaves a frenetic place for a relaxed one, a continental climate for that of the Mediterranean. And one senses an easing of one’s mental and emotional sinews.

The southern Rhône has also given rise to a great many superb wines in 2009.

Also on our offer you will find some choice 2008s at excellent prices. The wines are perhaps a little lighter than what one would ask of the most senior of the region’s vintages. What they do have in spades is terroir and freshness. Above all, they are delicious!

First dibs on the most in-demand 2009s will be given to those having a nibble at the ‘08s.

Click here to go north

Click here to go south