2014 Rol Valentin 12 Pack

93 POINTS

James Suckling

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.

93 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

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.

91 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

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. Points: 90-93

90 POINTS

Wine Spectator

Enticing, with flavors of warm plum cake, melted black licorice and fig paste mixed together, wrapped in a slightly ambitious layer of toast. Delivers solid hedonism overall.

90 POINTS

Jeannie Cho Lee MW - Asian Palate

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.

90 POINTS

James Molesworth - Wine Spectator

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.

Neal Martin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

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.

Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider

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