2014 Rhône Vintage
Summary
JLL rates 2014 as 6/10 North, 6/10 South, 8/10 whites. A stressful year — rainy summer, then the drosophila suzukii fruit fly invasion in late August — that nonetheless produced “some very pretty wines.” The reds carry beautiful fruit and mild tannins; a classic table wine vintage. The whites, largely spared the fruit fly, are great. JLL: “A classic vintage — still — for la table, relaxed moments, Glou Glou on the go.”
Northern Rhône
Côte-Rôtie
Trying, testing, taxing. The appellation’s northerly position subdued ripening, and the drosophila invasion forced difficult choices. Some growers harvested before the heavy September 20 rains and produced excellent wine; others who waited were less fortunate. A tender, loose vintage with streamlined fruit. Patrick Jasmin: “it’s a better year than 2002 and 2008… friand, pleasure wines were possible.” Philippe Guigal: “marked by fruit, a lot of fruit. A heterogeneous vintage.”
Hermitage
Generally good for the reds. Aided by being warmer than zones further north, and less fruit fly damage. The wines group around stylish, soft content, with trim tannins. The role of the top climats is important — L’Hermite, Les Bessards, Le Méal, Les Greffieux outperformed. Five-star whites from Chapoutier Chante-Alouette and Ferraton Le Reverdy.
Cornas
The standout appellation of the North in 2014. JLL: “I would most certainly recommend 2014 Cornas to subscribers. You can’t get a clearer statement than that. The wines are superior, grosso modo, to Côte-Rôtie, and they are cheaper.” Cornas’s sheltered position meant less fruit fly damage and warmer conditions than further north. The hillside, free-draining vineyards with good exposure thrived. Those who harvested before the September 20 rains — including Clape and Allemand — made the best wines. Pierre Clape: “The wines have fruit, gourmandise and a little depth. They are balanced and agreeable.” Allemand Reynard earned five stars.
Saint-Joseph
A very good vintage for the granite-derived reds. Gradual ripening allowed free expression of Syrah’s cool qualities off granite. Winning precision and fresh length in the best examples. An ace CHR (Cafe-Hotel-Restaurant) vintage — drinkability and ease of access are prime qualities.
Condrieu
Viognier was largely spared the fruit fly pest. Growers made very good wines, with the best experienced practitioners rising to the fore.
Southern Rhône
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
“Finesse hits town, after an absence of decades.” JLL’s most evocative vintage assessment. He compares 2014 CdP to the elegant wines of the 1960s — bouquets of garrigue, herbs, rosemary; palates that caress with neat red fruits and softly sustained drinking. A pointed contrast to the powerful, over-extracted wines of the previous two decades. Five-star wines from Rayas, Beaucastel (Hommage J Perrin and V Vignes), Domaine du Pegau Cuvée Reservee, Domaine de la Biscarelle, and Tardieu-Laurent Cuvee Speciale.
Gigondas
Some oak overuse was a debit. Producers who went for scale in the cellar produced over-extracted wines with dry, curly finishes. But those who backed off made charming wines.
Top Wines (5 stars)
Northern Rhône:
- ★★★★★ Thierry Allemand Cornas Reynard
- ★★★★★ Tardieu-Laurent Cornas Vieilles Vignes
- ★★★★★ Domaine Garon Côte-Rôtie Lancement
- ★★★★★ Chapoutier Hermitage Chante-Alouette (white)
- ★★★★★ Ferraton Hermitage Le Reverdy (white)
- ★★★★★ E. Guigal Condrieu La Doriane
- ★★★★★ André Perret Condrieu Chéry
- ★★★★★ Domaine Georges Vernay Condrieu Coteau de Vernon
Southern Rhône:
- ★★★★★ Château Rayas CdP
- ★★★★★ Château de Beaucastel CdP Vieilles Vignes (white)
- ★★★★★ Château de Beaucastel CdP Hommage Jacques Perrin
- ★★★★★ Domaine du Pegau CdP Cuvée Reservée
- ★★★★★ Domaine de la Biscarelle CdP
- ★★★★★ Tardieu-Laurent CdP Cuvée Spéciale
Key Themes
- Drosophila suzukii — a new enemy: The fruit fly invasion was an unprecedented challenge in the Northern Rhône, forcing rapid and sometimes premature harvesting. Producers who acted decisively (Clape, Allemand, Vincent Paris) were rewarded. This pest would recur in later vintages.
- Cornas the winner in the North: The appellation’s sheltered, warm microclimate and hillside drainage made it the most successful Northern appellation — and at lower prices than Côte-Rôtie or Hermitage.
- CdP finesse revolution: JLL’s comparison to 1960s CdP is striking. After decades of chasing power, extraction, and Parker points, 2014 forced a lighter touch. The resulting wines demonstrate that CdP can produce finesse and elegance, not just muscle.
- A white wine vintage: With 8/10, the whites are the real success story. Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier all performed above the level of the reds, benefiting from cooler conditions and minimal fly damage.
Sources
sources/articles/JLL/rhone_vintage_reports.json— JLL vintage reports (2014 Northern Rhône, 2014 Southern Rhône, The 2000s and 2010s Overview)