2015 Rol Valentin
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Tasting notes
The 2015 Rol-Valentin has a more open bouquet than its peers with leather and game-tinged red fruit, notes of cedar and undergrowth emerging with time. The palate is fresh on the entry with sappy black fruit, but overall it feels a little monotone and never kicks on toward the predictable finish. It leaves you wanting for more. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Sweet biscuit note. Easy-peasy – not that ambitious but not exaggerated. (JR)
The 2015 Rol Valentin is plush, deep and totally seductive. Layers of dark stone fruit, mocha, chocolate, new leather and spice flesh out in this effortless, richly textured Saint-Émilion. Time has softened some of the exuberance the wine showed from barrel while retaining its essential opulent, rich personality. Raspberry jam, cinnamon, mint and rose petal notes infuse the creamy, voluptuous finish. Julien Lavenu is the consulting winemaker. Tasted two times.
The 2015 Rol Valentin is dense, powerful and unctuous, with fabulous richness and overall intensity. Raspberry jam, rose petal, cinnamon, mint and white pepper are fused together in a rich, totally seamless St.-Émilion with modern contours and fabulous overall balance. This late-ripening site in the Saint-Etienne-de-Lisse sector often yields distinctive wines. That is very much the case here. The 2015 is not a shy or subtle wine, but it is very nicely done in this style. Julien Lavenu is the consulting winemaker. Tasted three times.