An uneven year in both halves of the Rhône Valley. In the Northern Rhône the mild winter was followed by a severe frost during May, which reduced the potential final yields. The summer witnessed some periods of fine weather but then the heavens opened in mid-September causing dilution and outbreaks of rot. Growers who green-harvested in July and made a rigorous selection at harvest time, fared best - Chapoutier in particular produced very good wines.

In the Southern Rhône the majority of the grapes were harvested prior to the September rains and in Châteauneuf-du-Pape some well-structured and elegant wines were produced, built for mid-term drinking.