2006 Rol Valentin

Very dark with a little bit of rust at the rim. Very sweet and porty on the nose. Lacks real middle and freshness. As though the push has been to get colour and alcohol at the expense of all else. Shame! (JR)

Red-ruby. Cool aromas of currant, mocha, graphite, tobacco and herbs; I don't find this wine's typical Vosne-like black fruit and floral character today. Supple and moderately broad but could use a bit more definition and eclat A moderately ripe Rol Valentin, finishing with dusty tannins and a lightly peppery quality.

Much less successful than other top vintages have been, Rol Valentin’s 2006 reveals a sinewy, muscular style displaying a dark ruby/purple color, some attractive black cherry, licorice, and roasted herbs on the attack, but a narrowing in the mouth as well as an angular, disjointed finish. There is good depth, weight, and purity, but it exhibits the major defect found in some 2006s ... an excess of tannin vis a vis the concentration. Drink it over the next decade.