2020 Chateau Rochebelle Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

The 2020 Rochebelle has a ripe bouquet of black cherries, boysenberry jam and light iris petals aromas, plus a touch of marmalade in the background; I would like a little more precision here. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and quite sweet, but there is a fine bead of countervailing acidity. What it lacks is a bit of length, and the wood tannins just poke out on the finish. I suspect this will meld together during barrel aging, and my score reflects this.

The 2020 Rochebelle is an attractive, juicy Saint-Émilion. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, new leather, coffee and spice all flesh out in the glass. Silky tannins give the 2020 a good deal of accessibility, but there is good energy here as well. The pliant finish is inviting.

Full bottle 1,250 g. Cask sample taken 7 April. Lustrous dark crimson. Punchy rich Merlot on the nose with real vivacity and a little limestone kick of freshness. Not at all heavy but not wan either. Confident mix of ripe fruit and ripe tannin with nothing in excess. A refined St-Émilion. But not for those who seek masses of flesh and sweetness. (JR)