2021 Rol Valentin
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Tasting notes
Lots of mineral-infused red and black fruits, truffly earth, tobacco, and cedar pencil notes emerge from the 2021 Château Rol Valentin, a beautifully textured, medium-bodied, silky Saint-Emilion that has fine tannins and outstanding length. I love its overall balance, purity, and length, and this is well worth seeking out and enjoying over the coming decade.
Critic scores
Average Score
Alistair Cooper MW, jancisrobinson.com
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2021 Rol Valentin has maintained its floral nose from barrel, though it doesn't quite deliver the delineation of its peers. The palate is medium-bodied and nicely structured with sappy red fruit and good weight toward the finish. There’s a touch of spice on the aftertaste that has a nagging element of greenness.
The 2021 Rol Valentin is a very pretty wine. Some of its typical exuberance is dialed back in 2021, but that also works in making the wine accessible and easy to appreciate on release. Crushed flowers, spice, mint, new leather, cedar and pipe tobacco build nicely in a perfumed, gracious Saint-Émilion that is all charm.
Attractive, very much emphasis on floral character, raspberry leaf, peony, raspberry, plum, mouthwatering finish. A good example of cool vintage St Emilion, and the touch of Malbec gives a welcome shot of spice. 90% aged in 400L barrels, 10% of the production in ovoid vats. Stephane Derenoncourt consultant. A single point upscore.