Rol Valentin 2001

From an 11.5 acre vineyard spread out in different sectors of St.-Emilion, Rol Valentin’s 2001 is a top-notch sleeper of the vintage. Deep ruby/purple-colored, with a sweet nose of black fruits and smoky new oak, it possesses a layered texture, impressive purity, and a medium to full-bodied, lush, rich, moderately tannic finish. Drink this seamless, accessible 2001 between 2006-2015.

The 2001 Rol Valentin has been tasted on six separate occasions, with divergent reviews. At its best, the 2001 is another luxuriously rich, layered, and nuanced wine with considerable ripeness and intensity. The dense ruby/purple-colored 2001 exhibits pure blackberry, black currant, and berry-like flavors with high quality, smoky, toasty oak (from Taransaud barrels). With good acidity, ripe tannin, and stunning length, it will be at its best between 2005 and 2016. However, some caution may be necessary, since at least three of the samples tasted were aggressively oaky and less deep, with surprisingly austere personalities.

The dense ruby/purple-colored 2001 is luxuriously rich, layered, and nuanced with considerable ripeness and intensity. The wine exhibits pure blackberry, black currant, and berry-like flavors with high quality, smoky, toasty oak (from Taransaud barrels). The wine possesses good acidity, ripe tannin, and stunning length. It is not surprising that Prissette's consultant is the wunderkind, Stephane Derenoncourt. The 2001 Rol Valentin was tasted on three separate occasions. Two of them revealed an exceptional effort that rivaled what was produced in 2000. Another sample was too oaky. This 11.4-acre vineyard, situated on sandy soils, is planted with 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc. Although proprietor Eric Prissette's first vintage was only 1985, Rol Valentin has quickly become one of the leading quasi-garage wines of St.-Emilion. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2016.