Rol Valentin - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2020

Wine Spectator

91

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2023

Sports some exotic fruit, with boysenberry and açaí berry flavors leading the way. Lush and seductive in feel, with hints of espresso crema, black tea and melted licorice. Ends with a slight grain of singed alder. This one handles the heat of the vintage. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Drink now through 2032. 2,000 cases made, 200 cases imported.

Jeb DUNNUCK

90

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/30/2023

Darker fruits, leather, underbrush, and iron notes all emerge from the 2020 Château Rol Valentin, a medium-bodied, rich, slightly earthy Saint-Emilion with good purity of fruit, good mid-palate depth, and ripe tannins. Based on 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and a splash of Malbec, it's one of those wines that comes together nicely with time in the glass and grows on you. I suspect it's going to round into form with just 2-3 years in the cellar and should certainly have 15 years of overall longevity. This cuvée comes from the eastern edge of the appellation and was aged in 40% new oak, with the balance in once-used barrels.

The Wine Cellar Insider

92

byJeff Levethe3/22/2023

Flowers, black raspberries, licorice, black cherries and plum scents are out in front here. Medium-bodied, silky, fresh, pure and vibrant, as well as refined in texture, the wine offers ample, sweet, ripe, red berries and a touch of cocoa in the finish. Drink from 2024-2040.

Wines Critic

92

byRaffaele Vecchionethe3/10/2023

Very mature on the nose showing strawberries, red prunes and a strong sense of oysters and saltiness in its character. Full bodied, soft tannins and a simple finale, albeit well worked and smoothed. Better from 2026.

Vinous

94

byAntonio Gallonithe2/24/2023

The 2020 Rol Valentin is gorgeous. Strong Cabernet Franc accents lend tons of aromatic presence to play off a core of rich, heady dark-fleshed fruit. Black cherry, plum, mocha, espresso and grilled herbs all build effortlessly as the 2020 opens in the glass. The new oak is a bit strong, but otherwise, the balance here is very fine.

Vinous

87

byNeal Martinthe2/15/2023

The 2020 Rol Valentin was quite "overwhelming" when tasted from barrel. Now in bottle, it is still a bit brash on the nose. It delivers attractive blackberry and blueberry scents with a touch of peony. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, quite sinewy and forceful, though I discern a little greenness right on the finish. Not bad, though it does lack a bit of grace vis-à-vis other recent vintages. A second bottle tasted was actually less convincing than the first.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

91

byJane Ansonthe1/16/2023

Attractive, bright and energetic, with the same dousing of smoke, spiced damson and turmeric that I found during En Primeur, with confident limestone signature, laced by violet. Impressed by the evolution of this wine. Alexandra and Nicolas Robin, consultant Stephane Derenoncourt, 7ha.

TASTED

94

byAndreas Larssonthe7/6/2021

Pure and floral nose, violet, rosehip and red berries with mild oak in the background. Dense palate, still youthful but finely tuned, layers of ripe red berries, sweet plum, mild spice and tobacco, good oak integration, polished tannin and a long lingering finish. Polished and powerful, nice result.

Wine Advocate

92-94

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe7/1/2021

Deep purple-black colored, the 2020 Rol Valentin has a drop-dead gorgeous perfume of violets, dark chocolate and star anise over a core of wild blueberries, black cherries and preserved plums, plus a hint of Sichuan pepper. The medium to full-bodied palate is seductively fragrant, coating the mouth with energetic black and blue fruits and a velvety texture, finishing with fantastic length and purity.

Vinous

92-94

byAntonio Gallonithe6/1/2021

The 2020 Rol Valentin is a heady, exotic Saint-Émilion loaded with character. Inky dark red fruit, raspberry jam, spice, rose petal, kirsch and mint give the wine its beguiling personality. The aromatics alone are utterly spellbinding in the 2020. Silky, pliant and full of character, it dazzles from the very first taste. Today, it is absolutely compelling. Tasted two times.

Vinous

87-89

byNeal Martinthe5/27/2021

The 2020 Rol Valentin has a very intense, concentrated nose, a mixture of black and blue fruit, violets, vanilla pod and eau-de-vie. It’s a bit overwhelming at the moment! The palate is full-bodied with dense tannins and a little chewy, offering pure black and red fruit laced with white pepper toward the finish. Hopefully this will develop more refinement and calm down by the time it is bottle.

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93

byJeff Levethe5/21/2021

Medium-bodied, silky, fresh, pure and vibrant, the fruits are elegant and refined in texture. Finishing with loads of sweet, ripe, red berries with floral touches. this elegant charmer will be just great with only a few years of aging. 91-93

Anthocyanes

90-92

byYohan Castaingthe5/11/2021

Nez boisé, un peu malo en barriques avec des notes de violette, dez fleurs et légèrement boisées. Bouche juteuse, modérément structurante possédant des tanins présents et fermes. Manque un peu de délicatesse pour une propriété qui a pourtant un gros potentiel. Finale droite, saline et aérienne.

Falstaff

93-95

byPeter Moserthe5/10/2021

Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feine schwarze Beerenfrucht, dunkle Kirschen, reife Pflaumen, ein Hauch von Edel- holz und Nougat, einladendes Bukett. Saftig, süße Kirschen, elegante Textur, gute Frische, feine Tannine, mineralisch und gut anhaftend, sehr gutes Entwicklungspo- tenzial.

Yvesbeck.wine

91-92

byYves Beckthe5/4/2021

Très belle intensité fruitée dans le bouquet de Rol Valentin. Il est marqué par d'invitantes notes de myrtilles et de sureau. Attaque fruitée également. Le vin est élégant, friand et parfaitement équilibré.  Bonne symbiose entre la fraîcheurs de l'acidité et la finesse des tannins. Un vin sapide et persistant. 2024-2037 

Tastingbook.com

91

byMarkus Del Monegothe4/26/2021

Dark purple colour with violet hue and black core. Elegant nose with ripe fruit, blackberries, plums jam, aromatic herbs, vanilla and mild spices, subtle oak. On the palate well balanced with ripe yet firm tannins, juicy fruit, freshness and very good length.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94

byJames Sucklingthe4/23/2021

Blackberry, blackcurrant, dark-chocolate and walnut aromas and flavors. It’s medium-to full-bodied with strong yet creamy tannins and a fresh finish.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

16

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/15/2021

Couleur sombre, intense et noire. Nes intense, au fruité mûr. Velouté à l'attaque et en milieu de bouche, très fruité, le vin caresse le palais, savoureux, agéable, parfumé et long. Tannicité sans anglae.