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Château Rol Valentin Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2023

$ 60

RETAIL

$ 60

BEST WEB

$ 30

LAST BOTTLE

LET’S ROL!! Rol Valentin, that is!! The critics agree “undeniably delicious”, “vivid”, “classy, elegant and polished”...”outstanding”...”flamboyant” – all we know is WHAT a score!! This modest Chateau just keeps crushing it year after year...a bit of the superb ‘23 just landed! SO MUCH Bordeaux bang for the buck – do what you must!! 

The qualitative “rol” (I know, sorry) that began in 1994 at this Grand Cru Classe wicked-overperformer continues unabated, like Curry just dropping 3-pointers one after another. On the eastern slopes of the magical hill that is St.-Émilion (if you’ve been there, you know), lies the average 40-year-old vines of Rol Valentin. Sold to the Robin family in 2009, the wines have just improved massively, with the emphasis on the LUSHER aspect of the appellation. When we tasted this back in Bordeaux last year, we practically FOUGHT to get more than a few dozen cases.

Rather unlike the days of not-that-old when St.-Émilion wines were often these chunky, meaty things that needed a decade to come around, modern approaches such as those at this Chateau are creating softer, lusher, more approachable wines with PLENTY of structure. No exception here — BOY oh boy, we are talking incredibly polished, roasting-coffee-bean, melted dark chocolate, plush and lush blue fruits, a crispy freshness, Good-and-Plenty centers, gingerbread, roasted nuts…all in a terrifically medium-weight body that is immediately refreshing and satisfying. This wine isn’t HEAVY…it’s just singing with flavors that rock on ‘til the mornin’ comes. Will drink amazingly well for 10-15 years easily!!

Due to many factors, Bordeaux pricing is INCREDIBLY attractive right now, and this wine is a no-brainer STEAL at its NORMAL $60 price, we think. But we did what we do and blew the doors off that…all we can say is LOAD UP!!

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95 POINTS
"A rich and rather plush young St. Emilion with a full body and velvety tannins. Aromas of plums, dark berries, walnuts, cured meat and toasted, smoky oak. Clean, beautiful and flamboyant. Firm and tensioned at the end. 78% merlot, 15% cabernet franc and 7% malbec. Drinkable now, but better in 2028." -James Suckling
93 POINTS
"The 2023 Rol Valentin is classy, elegant and polished, just as it was en primeur. Dark fruit, espresso, incense, plum, coffee, licorice and a kiss of French oak are all nicely pushed forward in this juicy, exuberant Saint-Émilion. This should drink beautifully with minimal cellaring. Tasted two times." -Vinous
93 POINTS
"Vividly ripe aromas of blackberry and plum with a slightly new oak polished sheen suggest more the winemaking than the terroir, but I like the freshness and subtle tannic power, sans hard edges. The medium bodied palate is balanced and barrel ageing (40% new oak) should make this more cohesive." -Decanter
93 POINTS
"92-94. Barrel Sample. This is a perfumed wine with ripe tannins and rich black fruits. It is powerful, with a solid structure and a spicy aftertaste." -Wine Enthusiast
90 POINTS
"From vines on the eastern side of the appellation not far from Valandraud and planted on clay and limestone soils, the 2023 Château Rol Valentin has a vivid ruby hue as well as juicy Bing cherries, red plum, chocolaty herbs, and graphite aromatics. Based on 78% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Malbec and aged 14-16 months in 40% new French oak, it's nicely balanced and ripe on the palate, with medium-bodied depth and density as well as impressive length. It's another forward, charming Saint-Emilion that shows the higher yields of the vintage yet is balanced and undeniably delicious. Drink this outstanding effort over the coming decade. Drink 2026-2035." -Jeb Dunnuck

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