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Château Rol Valentin

Château Rol Valentin was purchased by Eric Prisette, a retired professional footballer, and his wife Virginie, in the summer of 1994. The wine is sourced from just 4.6 hectares of vineyards, located on the north-western part of the St Emilion plateau. The vineyards are predominantly Merlot, with about 8% Cabernet Franc and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, with vine age typically 35-40 years. The wine undergoes temperature controlled fermentation, prior to ageing in 100% new oak for 18 months, with malolactic fermentation occurring in the barrel. The wines are not filtered, but they do receive a light fining.

Eric Prisette employs Stéphane Derenoncourt as consulting oenologist at Château Rol Valentin. A small production (just 14000 or so bottles) together with 100% new oak puts this property firmly in the garagiste camp. Prices typically reflect this. My experience of the wines is limited to the vintages noted below, although I did also once encounter the 1994, which unfortunately was corked. (5/8/03)

Contact details:
Address: Château Rol Valentin, 33330 St-Emilion
Telephone: +33 (0) 5 57 74 43 51
Fax: +33 (0) 5 57 74 45 13
Internet: www.vignoblesrobin.com
GPS: 44.913903, -0.166058

Château Rol Valentin - Tasting Notes

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Château Rol Valentin (St Emilion) 2010: Another estate under new ownership, ex-footballer Eric Prisette having sold up to the Robin family whose name now graces the label. Really a dark and intense concentration on inspection, very deep, a glossy crimson-black. The fruit style on the nose is moving away from one of freshness to a more brawny, less well defined style. Quite nicely composed on entry, although with a very broad and creamy edge. There is plenty of fruit and texture here, more than enough to counter the ripe tannic backbone, and there is good acidity too. It is a big, plush, velvety style, obviously full of very ripe fruit, but it does have some definition in terms of structure. Grippy finish, For me, lacks a little brightness and vigour. From my Bordeaux 2010 primeurs assessment. 15-16/20 (April 2011)

Château Rol Valentin (St Emilion) 2007: Liquorice, ink and orange peel on the nose here, along with pepper and spice. Rather drying tannins, this wine has a big extraction for the full and ripe fruit to live up to. There is an appealing texture, with a little freshness, but it is bordering on overworked for me. 14-15+?/20 (April 2008)

Château Rol Valentin (St Emilion) 1995: A deep, inky, red-mahogany colour. There's an impressive nose, which is rich and succulent with blackcurrant fruit and notes of graphite. Dense yet expressive. On the palate it is rich yet balanced, although it has only medium body. Nevertheless it is young, creamily textured and very moreish. Plenty of black fruits and some ripe tannins. This is delicious stuff which is approachable now but should drink well over the next five years. 17.5+/20 (August 2003)