2011 Rocheyron

The 2011 Château Rocheyron, a blend of 20% Cabernet Franc and 80% Merlot, came in at 13.9% alcohol, much less than the debut 2010. It has a clean and generous bouquet with quite elegant red cherry and strawberry fruit, although I would like to see more personality here. The palate is medium-bodied with a slight gaminess on the entry, fine tannin, a little grainy in texture with a savory, almost meaty finish that I like. Probably ready to drink now, it should give drinking pleasure over the next four or five years. Tasted March 2017.

Rich, succulent, powerful but not overdone with a lovely tannic bite and refreshing, crisp acid. Expertly balanced. Juicy, classic, savoury. (RH)

Some flashy new oak and very sculpted, smooth fruit quality but not as much fun as the much cheaper 2009 Barrail du Blanc. (JR)