Rol Valentin - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2014

Vinous

85

byNeal Martinthe4/2/2024

The 2014 Rol Valentin has a slightly smudged bouquet with mature leather, loamy scents and a touch of mint. It lacks precision and freshness. The palate is medium-bodied with mint-tinged red fruit laced with cedar. It's linear in style, though it feels abrupt on the finish. I have encountered better vintages of this Saint-Émilion château. Drink soon. Tasted non-blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

15,75

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/1/2017

Jamessuckling.com

93

byJames Sucklingthe2/16/2017

Enticing red with a center palate of ripe fruit, chocolate and spices. Full to medium body, polished and velvety tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Excellent. Drink in 2020.

Wine Spectator

90

byJames Molesworththe2/10/2017

Shows a lightly woodsy frame, with an apple wood edge that is trying to meld with the core of steeped plum skin and raspberry preserve flavors. A loamy hint shows on the finish. There's solid depth here, but this needs time to unwind through the finish. Best from 2019 through 2026. 835 cases made.

Vinous

93

byAntonio Gallonithe2/6/2017

An outrageously beautiful wine, the 2014 Rol Valentin has been absolutely striking on the three occasions I have tasted it so far. Dark stone fruit, smoke, licorice and sweet French oak effortlessly fill out the wine's ample, voluptuous frame. As always, Rol Valentin is a flamboyant, racy Saint-Émilion built on textural richness. Best of all, the 2014 won't require too much time in bottle. This is a beautiful and highly expressive wine in every way. The 2014 is 90 % Merlot and 10 % Cabernet Franc, vinified in oak vats, with malolactic fermentation done entirely in barrique. Julien Lavenu is the consulting winemaker. Tasted three times.

Vinous

90-93

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2015

The 2014 Rol Valentin is striking. Ripe, voluptuous and racy to the core, the 2014 possesses fabulous nuance and class, all in a textured, voluptuous style that will appeal most to readers who enjoy ripe, flashy wines. Succulent dark cherries, smoke, menthol, spices and new leather reappear on the sweet, resonant finish. Although not at all subtle, the 2014 Rol Valentin is unquestionably beautiful and loaded with personality. The 2014 is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, vinified in oak vats, with malolactic fermentation done entirely in barrique. Julien Lavenu is the consulting winemaker.

The Wine Cellar Insider

89-90

byJeff Levethe5/5/2015

With floral, cherry and plum scents in the nose, this medium-bodied, velvety textured wine delivers licorice and sweet, cherries in an open finish. 89-90

Wine Advocate

89-91

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2015

The Château Rol Valentin 2014 is a little reticent at first, but it unfurls nicely in the glass revealing ripe small dark cherries intermixed with blueberry and lavender scents. The palate is ripe and rounded on the entry, a voluminous Saint Emilion, but with requisite acidity to keep everything balanced. It only needs to develop a little more complexity and finesse on the finish. This should drink nicely once in bottle.

My Bettane + Desseauve

15,5-16

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/23/2015

Charnu, savoureux, grand fruit mûr, bel équilibre gourmand; intense et réussi.

Asian Palate

90

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2015

Sweet plum and redcurrant dominate this supple, round Saint-Emillion red. The fruit is approachable and generous with a fairly long finish. Well crafted with good potential to age.

Decanter.com

16,5

byJames Lawther MWthe4/17/2015

Supple and seductive. Modern but within reason. Dark fruit and chocolate notes. Plush and finely textured. Firm, persistent finish. Touch of alcohol on the finish. Drink: 2019-2026 (88)

Jancis Robinson

16

byJancis Robinsonthe4/13/2015

A Stéphane Derenoncourt wine. Near Valandraud and very clayey limestone. 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Blackish crimson. Almost overripe notes on the nose! Soft and sweet. Less obvious structure than most. Round and ripe with low-key tannins. Then a rich finish. Very distinctive. Drink 2018-2023

Jamessuckling.com

91-92

byJames Sucklingthe4/10/2015

This shows blueberry and mineral character with a medium to full body, fine tannins and a juicy finish. Always excellent. A juicy wine.

timatkin.com

90

byTim Atkin MWthe4/7/2015

René Gabriel

18

byRené Gabrielthe4/1/2015

Extrem dunkles Purpur mit lila und violetten Reflexen. Das Bouquet wirkt sehr laktisch (da ist er heuer fast der Einzige), Brombeerenjogurt, ausladend. Im Gaumen cremig, samtig und mit zärtlichen Tanninen versehen. Einen so guten Rol-Valentin hatte ich schon lange nicht mehr im Glas. Das ist eine ganz tolle,ausserordentliche Leistung in diesem Jahr. Das ist für mich der Gewinner des Charme-Preises in Saint Emilion!18/20 2020 – 2036