2017 Rochebelle
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Tasting notes
Treads lightly, with tasty blueberry and raspberry fruits, cassis bud, and layers of vanilla bud, graphite, saffon, cinammon, white pepper. Extremely drinkable, with bouyant tannins that dance across the palate. No need to wait too long, you could get a lot of pleasure from this right now. No frost at Rochebelle, meaning yields were fairly normal. 70% new oak. Cécile Dulimbert consultant.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Rochebelle is rich, sumptuous and unabashedly flamboyant. Cedar, tobacco, licorice, dried flowers and sweet oak add to the wine's extroverted personality. Rochebelle is not at all subtle, but it is quite delicious.
Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Rochebelle explodes from the glass with pronounced black cherries, blackberry compote and plum preserve scents with nuances of charcuterie and black olives. Medium-bodied, the palate is laden with expressive black fruits, framed by firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing on a mineral note.
A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, the deep ruby-hued 2017 Chateau Rochebelle sports a solid bouquet of ripe black cherries, blackberries, and currants interwoven with notions of chocolate, toasted bread, and spice box. Rich, medium to full-bodied, plump, and rounded on the palate, it's a pleasure-bent, incredibly satisfying Saint-Emilion to drink over the coming decade or more.