Northern Rhône whites: Panel tasting results

Matt Walls, Cat Lomax and Tanguy Martin tasted 109 wines with 6 Outstanding and 50 Highly recommended.

Northern Rhône whites: Panel tasting scores

109 wines tasted

Exceptional 0

Outstanding 6

Highly recommended 50

Recommended 40

Commended 13

Fair 0

Poor 0

Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit any latest-release white wines from the northern Rhône, made from grapes sourced exclusively from the northern Rhône growing area

When I tasted the 2020 northern Rhône whites from barrel for my en primeur report, I was captivated by their vibrancy. Then when I returned a year later, I was amazed that the 2021s appeared even fresher. So, I had high hopes for this tasting, and was keen to see how recent vintages compared now they’re in bottle.

The tasting confirmed them both to be excellent vintages for whites in the northern Rhône, but very different in style. We tasted the youngest first, and were all impressed by the vivid, zesty profile of the 2021 vintage (74 wines tasted) and its naturally crisp acidity. It is a lean and athletic year for whites, but they can sometimes lack depth and richness.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores from the Northern Rhône whites panel tasting

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Northern Rhône whites panel tasting scores

The judges

Matt Walls is an awarded wine writer, author and consultant, a contributing editor to Decanter and the DWWA Regional Chair for the Rhône.

Cat Lomax is a wine and wine retail consultant who has held buying and senior trading roles across key premium wine retailers in the UK, including Laithwaites, Waitrose, Majestic and most recently Marks & Spencer.

Tanguy Martin is business development manager and ambassador for Roberson Wine. He completed his oenology diploma in Montpellier before heading to England in 2011, gaining the title of UK Sommelier of the Year in 2015 while working as head sommelier for the late Gerard Basset OBE MW MS. Having moved to London, Martin was wine buyer and wine director for a number of established restaurants.