Upon revisiting this bottle, we were again captivated by its unique deep rubied hue, with a tight garnet rim and a bright, violet-filled core. Despite 13 years of bottle age, the youthful character is evident in its ripe dark berry and red cherry fruit notes, delicate plums and figs, and a hint of nougat. The profile is a delightful blend of juicy red forest berry confit, fresh, fine tannins, and a lively, easy-to-drink nature. The cherries on the finish, the excellent balance, the careful handling of wood, and its light-footed food companion status all contribute to its unique charm.
The 2011 vintage, while more structured than 2013, exudes a unique charm and truly pleasing elegance. Its style, reminiscent of La Fleur and le Gay, is a testament to the influence of Stephane Derenocourt and the Robin sisters. Falstaff's 91-point rating is well-deserved, as the wine presents fine black wild berry fruit, delicate herbal spices, and a hint of nougat. It is juicy and complex and offers a delightful interplay of dark fruit, firm tannins, a pleasant nougat touch, a mineral finish, elegance, and good length. The other scores include RP90, WS91, and Andrea Lasson 90.
Chateau Rol Valentin's modern history tells a lot about its transformation and evolution, which is marked by the dedication and passion of its owners. It debuted with the challenging 1994 vintage under Clos Valentin, a vision of the former European soccer star Eric Prissette. In 2009, a new chapter began for Chateau Rol Valentin, as it was acquired by the daughter of Leclerc's chief wine buyer, Jean-Luc Roche, and her husband, Nicolas Robin, the nephew of the illustrious Robin sisters of the Right Bank. These sisters were the previous owners of Chateau Lafleur and Chateau Le Gay in Pomerol. Under the new ownership, the small vineyard was expanded to its current size, a testament to their commitment and passion for the craft.
2001 Château d'Issan is crafted from 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Merlot. Emmanuel Cruse has restored d'Issan to its former glory. This vintage offers ripe red raspberry flavours and smooth tannins, representing a more classic style than 2000. Decanter awarded it 95 points and praised it for its prosperous and deeper fruit feel compared to the 2000 vintage. This bright, young wine with juicy berry notes has a well-balanced 52hl/ha yield and is ready to drink, with the potential to age for at least another decade. The wine was released at only €14 ex-château.
The d'Issan wines have received impressive scores for the 2011 vintage. For example, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave it 92 points, noting its dense ruby/purple colour and abundant cassis, kirsch, liquorice, and loamy soil undertones. Meanwhile, Decanter also awarded it 95 points, highlighting its high aromatics and freshness, making it great with food due to its high acidity.
The 2012 d'Issan received exceptional acclaim from critics. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it 95 points, praising its concentration and promising significant ageing potential. Neal Martin at Vinous noted its adherence to the traditional style of the Margaux region, while Decanter awarded it 94 points for its impressive complexity. Wine Enthusiast also emphasized its fruit quality, awarding it 93 points and describing it as a ripe, fruity wine with well-balanced acidity.
Château Lafon-Rochet, established in the 17th century and awarded Fourth Growth status in 1855, is known for its tightly coiled wines that require more time. The wines are noted not for finesse but for their excellent depth, which needs more development time. Here, you'll find classic, balanced, old-school St Estèphe flavours. Plenty of ripe red fruits and gentle wafts of blond tobacco aromatics showcase each vintage's balance and simple charms. Lafon Rochet 2005, in particular, exhibits excellent concentration, fine tannins, and a succulent Saint Estephe character with a fine sense of minerality on the finish. The tannin frame remains clear, and the acidity is slightly higher than ideal, but there is plenty of juice and character.
Lafon Rochet is my prime choice for Bordeaux's structure, density, and power, but probably for something other than Chinese cuisine. Recent tastings have consistently yielded 93 points, indicating good stability and quality.
Neal Martin gave it a score of 93. He described the 2005 Lafon-Rochet bouquet as a masterpiece of expression, with notes of raspberry, blackberry, briary, black pepper, and light scents creating a symphony of aromas. NM also mentioned that the palate is medium-bodied with tobacco-tinged red and black fruit, well-balanced, and has a suitable substance. He noted that the 2005 Lafon-Rochet is superb and will continue to drink well for several years, suggesting a drinking window from 2021 to 2036.
Jane Anson also gave this wine 93 points and mentioned that 2005 was a good year for Lafon-Rochet, resulting in consistent and high-quality wines. She described the wine as classic, balanced, and a traditional St Estèphe with plenty of ripe red fruits and gentle hints of blond tobacco aromatics. Anson agreed that while the acidity is high, as some good Bordeaux do, the wine's balance is a testament to its quality and enjoyability, making it hard to resist.
