Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2015 - Parker 90-92

Winemaker and Vineyard: The 7.3 hectares of vineyards at Château Rol Valentin are planted with 78% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Malbec, with vines averaging 40 years of age. Soil work is done in four ways (mounding, four traditional plowings, pruning in both single and double Guyot, disbudding, suckering, pruning adapted to the vigor of the vine, cluster selection (thinning) from flowering to mid-veraison, complex leaf removal from June (fruit set) until August 10 to 15 (veraison).

Tasting: The 2015 Château Rol Valentin has a rich and opulent bouquet with plush blueberry and crème de cassis fruit, violets tucked just behind. The palate is full-bodied with dense but not jammy black fruit, quite structured with a dash of spice towards the powerful finish. It feels feisty and feral at the moment, but I suspect this will gain more finesse and cohesion once in bottle. (robertparker.com, 28.04.2016)

Service: Serve at room temperature (16-18°C) to accompany a 7-hour veal roast.