2010 Rhône Vintage
Summary
JLL rates 2010 as a perfect 10/10 for both North and South, with 9/10 for whites — a once-in-a-generation vintage. The defining word is balance: fresh nights, moderate yields, and long, even ripening produced wines of extraordinary depth, freshness, and longevity across both halves of the valley. JLL compares it favorably to 1978 and 1990, calling it “all that you could wish for: balance, balance, balance, with filling, freshness, length, potential, longevity.” This is the standout vintage of the 2000s-2010s era, and the wines are built for decades.
Northern Rhône
Côte-Rôtie
JLL is ecstatic: “This is where I get very jiggy, dangerously jiggy. What fruit, what balance, what richness. What an ensemble.” He compares the vintage to 1978 after tasting just two of Jean-Paul Jamet’s lieu-dits. The balance is superb — not gruff, but rich, deep, and harmonious. Six-star wines abound, including Domaine Jamet Côte Brune, Guigal La Landonne/La Mouline/La Turque, Rostaing Côte Blonde, and Gilles Barge Côte Brune. Stéphane Bernard noted “2010 has a bit less matter than 2009 but the balance is better regarding the alcohol and the acidity.”
Hermitage
Excellent, with the 2010 hallmark of freshness. No excess power — even the big south-facing sites like Le Méal and Les Greffieux show constructive, clear finishes. Jacques Grange of Delas: “2010 is air-filled, tight, precise.” The wines can live 25-30 years. Six-star reds from Chave, Delas Les Bessards, Bernard Faurie, and Chapoutier L’Ermite and Le Méal.
Cornas
In unison with the rest of the Northern Rhône, Cornas delivered rich wines with fresh tannins and fine balance. Thierry Allemand noted: “2010 became very good… quite firm and tannic.” Anne Colombo found “more vivacity than 2009, the balance is better.” Three six-star wines: Domaine Clape, Allemand Reynard, and Vincent Paris La Geynale.
Saint-Joseph
“2010 was made for the Syrah at Crozes-Hermitage” — and Saint-Joseph also thrived. Fresh, free-flowing fruit; packed with drinkable, juicy, stimulating wines.
Condrieu
A mix of 2008 (good acidity) and 2009 (structure). Easy to drink with good body. Christine Vernay: “2010 has more nerve, 2009 is more fleshy. There is more terroir in 2010.”
Southern Rhône
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
A magnificent vintage. Seven six-star reds — an astonishing haul. Highlights include Domaine Charvin (“STGT; classy, full, complex”), Vieux Télégraphe La Crau (“strong, purposeful; like 1978”), Clos des Papes (“magic fruit; v long, beats 1990”), Château Rayas (“reserved; notable”), Beaucastel (“great; mix of 89 & 90”), Clos du Mont Olivet Cuvée Papet, and Domaine du Pegau Da Capo. Fresh nights in the South were the secret weapon.
Gigondas
Notably superior to recent vintages (2009, 2007). Three six-star wines led by Château de Saint Cosme Hominis Fides, Famille Perrin Vieilles Vignes, and Domaine Saint Damien Les Souteyrades. A profound, fresh, balanced vintage.
Top Wines (6 stars)
Northern Rhône:
- Domaine Clape Cornas
- Thierry Allemand Cornas Reynard
- Vincent Paris Cornas La Geynale
- Gilles Barge Côte-Rôtie Côte Brune
- Domaine Jamet Côte-Rôtie Côte Brune
- René Rostaing Côte-Rôtie Côte Blonde
- E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Landonne, La Mouline, La Turque
- Delas Côte-Rôtie La Landonne
- Pierre Gaillard Côte-Rôtie Rose Pourpre
- M. & S. Ogier Côte-Rôtie Lancement
- Saint Cosme Côte-Rôtie La Viallière
- Jean-Michel Stéphan Côte-Rôtie
- Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage
- Bernard Faurie Hermitage (both bottlings)
- Delas Hermitage Les Bessards
- Chapoutier Hermitage L’Ermite, Le Méal
- Cave de Tain Hermitage Gambert de Loche
- Chapoutier Hermitage de l’Orée (white)
- Guigal Saint-Joseph Vignes de l’Hospice
Southern Rhône:
- Château de Beaucastel CdP Vieilles Vignes
- Château Rayas CdP — drink window 2049-51
- Clos des Papes CdP — drink window 2044-48
- Domaine Charvin CdP
- Domaine du Pegau CdP Da Capo
- Clos du Mont Olivet CdP Cuvée Papet
- Cuvée du Vatican CdP Château Sixtine
- Domaine Roger Sabon CdP Prestige
- Vieux Télégraphe CdP La Crau — drink window 2041-44
- Domaine de la Charbonnière CdP L’Envol
- Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas Hominis Fides
- Famille Perrin Gigondas Vieilles Vignes
- Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Les Souteyrades
Key Themes
- Balance as the defining quality: JLL’s single-word summary is “balance.” Fresh nights in the South and moderate conditions in the North created wines that are both deeply concentrated and buoyantly fresh.
- A vintage for the long haul: Hermitage reds can live 25-30 years; top CdP reds have drinking windows stretching to 2050+. The Jamet comparison to 1978 sets the bar high.
- Terroir transparency: Christine Vernay’s observation — “there is more terroir in 2010” — applies valley-wide. The moderate conditions let site expression dominate over vintage character.
- Decade-defining: 2010 is one of two stand-out vintages in the South (alongside 2016) that “camouflage some more challenging years” in the overall 2010s scores. In the North, it was the opening salvo of a remarkable decade.
Sources
sources/articles/JLL/rhone_vintage_reports.json— JLL vintage reports (2010 Northern Rhône, 2010 Southern Rhône, The 2000s and 2010s Overview)