Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s 2016 vintage is potentially the best in 40 years, according to Chapoutier vineyard manager Nicolas Viboud.
Speaking to the drinks business at the recent ‘Decouvertes en Vallée du Rhône’ event, Viboud said that Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2016 was “one of the best vintages for 40 years”, thanks largely to the “fresher” weather conditions in 2016 leading to a more balanced harvest.
The result is “concentrated but not overripe as one can get in hot years. It just has perfect balance”.
Meanwhile, regional trade body Inter Rhone is marketing the southern 2016s as a ‘super vintage’.
According to Philippe Guigal: “2015 in the northern Rhone is the best if not the very best we have ever seen.
“In the south, 2015 was good to very good but with drought issues. 2016, in one word, is the opposite with some of the best Châteauneuf-du-Pape yet seen and lovely cru wines. It’s not as strong in the north.”
