2020 Rol Valentin
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Tasting notes
Tasted blind. Black core. Ripe, dark and spicy fruit. Pure cassis without the impression of sweetness. Firm, smooth, grainy but fresh, tannins and acidity just about meshed together. Just slightly hard on the finish at the moment and needs time. (JH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Alistair Cooper MW, jancisrobinson.com
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The 2020 Rol Valentin has a high-toned, oaky bouquet that clearly needs more time in bottle. It is modern in style yet delineated and focused. The palate is fleshy and forward, a wine predesigned toward approachability, but there is a nagging greenness on the finish that puts you off taking the next sip. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Darker fruits, leather, underbrush, and iron notes all emerge from the 2020 Château Rol Valentin, a medium-bodied, rich, slightly earthy Saint-Emilion with good purity of fruit, good mid-palate depth, and ripe tannins. Based on 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and a splash of Malbec, it's one of those wines that comes together nicely with time in the glass and grows on you. I suspect it's going to round into form with just 2-3 years in the cellar and should certainly have 15 years of overall longevity. This cuvée comes from the eastern edge of the appellation and was aged in 40% new oak, with the balance in once-used barrels.