Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
byIan D'Agatathe8/31/2014
Deep, bright ruby. Perfumed, sappy aromas of maraschino cherry, flint, tobacco and camphor are complemented by a fresh floral note. Dense, sweet and broad on entry, with a solid core of dark cherry fruit lifted by fresh pepper and flowers, then tightens up on the back end. The finish shows dry tannins that stay just this side of hard, with a lingering floral perfume complicated by saline traces. Not the best Rol Valentin in memory, but a very successful 2011 Bordeaux. Winemaker Simon Blanchard told me that he believes the floral notes come from the vine parcels located in St. Etienne de Lys, where the lighter soils provide fragrance and perfume.