Castle Rouget - Pomerol 2013

Wine Advocate

87 / 100

byNeal Martinthe10/28/2016

The 2013 Rouget was the first vintage where Edouard Labruyère decided to mature everything in barrel (vinification integral). He told me that his team had to conduct four or five passages through the vineyard due to uneven ripening, therefore the harvest took almost one month. It has a bright and you might say "perky" black cherry and raspberry scented bouquet, nicely defined and with commendable fruit concentration given the vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, not as convincing as the aromatics, the challenges of the growing season denuding it of the complexity of a great season. There is a bit of stiffness here, although that will dissipate with bottle age and the finish is still a little blunt. But considering this is a 2013, this is a decent, short-term Pomerol.

Wine Advocate

86-88 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe8/29/2014

A delicious, sexy Pomerol, the 2013 Rouget possesses plump black cherry fruit, lots of spice, medium body, and excellent purity, texture and depth. A sleeper of the vintage, it provides further evidence of just how much this property has pushed quality to higher levels. Enjoy it over the next 6-8 years.

Falstaff

89-91 / 100

byPeter Moserthe5/22/2014

Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarter Wasserrand, ein Hauch von kandierten Veilchen, schwarze Beeren, zarte Anklänge von Mandarinenzesten. Mittlere Komplexität, feine dunkle Frucht, gut integrierte Tannine, zarter Schokotouch im Abgang, reife Kirschen im Rückgeschmack, verfügt über Reifepotenzial.

Vinous

90-92 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/18/2014

The 2013 Rouget is wonderfully dark and fleshy in the glass. Sweet, layered and impeccable, the 2013 impresses for its depth and juiciness. The new oak is a bit present at the moment, but that should not be too much of an issue over time. The style is extroverted, racy and ripe, and it all works beautifully here. What a pretty wine this is. Tasted twice.

Decanter.com

16,5 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/15/2014

Smooth and round on attack. Creamy, red fruit. Firm, fresh and well crafted. Could be good value.

My Bettane + Desseauve

16 / 20

the4/15/2014

Des rondeurs conquérantes, de l’assise en milieu de bouche, ce vin a déjà du tempérament.

Wine Advocate

86-88 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/15/2014

The Rouget 2013 has a ripe, slightly smudged bouquet with soft red berry fruit laced with marmalade, which needs a little more reserve and focus. The palate is sweet on the entry with "furry" tannins. There is impressive weight in the mouth but it feels rather blunt on the finish at the moment.

Jamessuckling.com

90-91 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/8/2014

Beautiful depth of fruit to this wine for the vintage, with blackberry, light coffee and cream. Full body, velvety tannins and a fresh finish. Bright and beautiful.

René Gabriel

17 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/4/2014

Purpur-Granat. Recht intensives, fast zu Kopf steigendes Bouquet, geröstete Himbeerkerne und Preiselbeeren, zarter Kokos-Vanilleschimmer. Saftiger, mittelschlanker Körper, wunderschön integrierte Tannine, berauschendes Finish. Er hat das gewisse Etwas, welches vielen Pomerols heuer gänzlich fehlt.