Château Rol Valentin

5/3/2017 Bettane & Desseauve BETTANE & DESSEAUVE ( BETTANE & DESSEAUVE) : 90 / 100 Charnu, puissant, intense, beaucoup de sève, ce vin doit encore s’affiner. 5/2/2017 Martin WINE ADVOCATE (NEAL MARTIN) : 90-92 / 100 The 2016 Rol Valentin, owned by Nicolas and Alexandra Robin, has a very well defined bouquet with blackberry and crushed strawberry fruit, subtle tobacco and iris aromas developing in the glass. This is a more classically "trained" Rol-Valentin. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp acidity but it just clams up a little towards the finish where I want it to spread its wings. I'll keep my eye on this, as there is certainly good potential and it is a worthy follow-up to the 2015. 4/26/2017 Vinous VINOUS (ANTONIO GALLONI) : 91-94 / 100 One of the standouts of the vintage, the 2016 Rol Valentin is fabulous. Rich, sumptuous and forward, with striking purity to its fruit, the 2016 shows the more opulent side of Saint-Émilion to dramatic effect. Succulent red cherry, plum, spice, chocolate, espresso, mint and rose petal race across the palate. Sumptuous and racy, but not at all heavy or overdone, the 2016 hits all the right notes. Bright floral overtones and veins of salinity add freshness throughout. This is a gorgeous and impeccably balanced wine. The 2016 was fermented in oak vat and underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel. The blend is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a terrific effort from proprietors Alexandra and Nicolas Robon and consulting winemaker Julien Lavenu. 4/21/2017 Robinson JANCIS ROBINSON (JANCIS ROBINSON) : 16,5 / 20 Stéphane Derenoncourt consulting. Clay limestone. 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Bright crimson. Easy, comfortable, well-integrated nose. Great freshness on the end. Almost more like a red Loire! Dry end but crunchy and appealing. Not remotely over the top. 4/19/2017 Wine Enthusiast WINE ENTHUSIAST (ROGER VOSS) : 90-92 / 100 Barrel Sample. This is a dark wine, solid in tannic structure and with great concentration. It has power that will express itself in rich fruitiness and firm tannins. This is a wine for long-term aging. 4/10/2017 Wine Spectator WINE SPECTATOR (JAMES MOLESWORTH) : 90-93 / 100 Ripe and pure, with polished edges that let the plum and cassis notes stream along unencumbered. Fresh acidity drives the finish, which is sneaky long.—J.M. 4/5/2017 Jamessuckling.com JAMESSUCKLING.COM (JAMES SUCKLING) : 92-93 / 100 A bright and vivid red with blueberry and cherry character. Bright and lively acidity. Firm and silky tannins. Shows reserve and harmony. Could be even better than now with time.