Château Rocher-Gardat
Montagne-St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend
2018 vintage. Good, but could do with a bit more fruit for the structure.
2018 vintage. Good, but could do with a bit more fruit for the structure.
Jan 10th, 2022From magnum. Sleek and focused, this has an old school feel to it. Trades weight and density for cut and structure. Distinctly floral on the nose, with crushed red berry, mint and cocoa on the palate. This can sleep a few years. Quite nice.
From magnum. Sleek and focused, this has an old school feel to it. Trades weight and density for cut and structure. Distinctly floral on the nose, with crushed red berry, mint and cocoa on the palate. This can sleep a few years. Quite nice.
Jun 5th, 202112 months in barrels. Drinking this 2012 in 2020. Nicely aged and peaking now.
90/10 merlot Cab franc.
Small producer @ Vigneron Independent
Well balanced with superb balance of black fruits, subtle oak, earthy undergrowth, mouth feel and acidity. Notes of
blackberry, plum, cherry, earthy, blackcurrant, and black cherry
12 months in barrels. Drinking this 2012 in 2020. Nicely aged and peaking now.
90/10 merlot Cab franc.
Small producer @ Vigneron Independent
Well balanced with superb balance of black fruits, subtle oak, earthy undergrowth, mouth feel and acidity. Notes of
blackberry, plum, cherry, earthy, blackcurrant, and black cherry
Violet, red flowers, juicy red cherries and blackberries, clay, mushroom, stony characters, black pepper, hints of basil and thyme. Slight oak influence, medium to medium plus acidity and tannin, medium body.
Violet, red flowers, juicy red cherries and blackberries, clay, mushroom, stony characters, black pepper, hints of basil and thyme. Slight oak influence, medium to medium plus acidity and tannin, medium body.
2 people found it helpfulApr 4th, 2018A favourite, strong black fruit notes with hint of chocolate and vanilla. Class
A favourite, strong black fruit notes with hint of chocolate and vanilla. Class
1 person found it helpfulNov 20th, 2020A little fruity. Good body. Easy to drink. Tasty!
A little fruity. Good body. Easy to drink. Tasty!
Oct 10th, 2021Black fruits. Gripping tannins. Granite undertones.
Black fruits. Gripping tannins. Granite undertones.
Jun 8th, 2021Complex deep flavor just made me relaxed and joyful to sip. Great deal.
Complex deep flavor just made me relaxed and joyful to sip. Great deal.
Dec 16th, 2020Anne introduced! Perfect pairing for game night!
Anne introduced! Perfect pairing for game night!
Oct 14th, 20182015 Chateau Rocher-Gardat
On the pop and pour, the nose has a lot of forest floor, mushroom, and a bit of barnyard funk. Zero fruit or herbal qualities. It's not hard to tell that this is Old World, and not New World in style.
On the tongue, this wine is very alcohol hot. Surprisingly, this wine is 14.5% alcohol; a high alcohol content for a French wine. It has a robust tannin structure and is not showing much fruit on the palate. Time to let it sit in the glass for a bit and see what happens.
15 minutes in, the barnyard funk on the nose is giving way to a little more of a green character. The alcohol is coming through on the nose now. That's a little odd. On the palate, fruit is now starting to show up. A lot of black currant and a little bit of red licorice. Maybe a touch of black olives.
Overall, I'm ambivalent about this wine. It's not horrible; it's not a favorite. I'm not sure that it's going to age well at all.
*shrug*
2015 Chateau Rocher-Gardat
On the pop and pour, the nose has a lot of forest floor, mushroom, and a bit of barnyard funk. Zero fruit or herbal qualities. It's not hard to tell that this is Old World, and not New World in style.
On the tongue, this wine is very alcohol hot. Surprisingly, this wine is 14.5% alcohol; a high alcohol content for a French wine. It has a robust tannin structure and is not showing much fruit on the palate. Time to let it sit in the glass for a bit and see what happens.
15 minutes in, the barnyard funk on the nose is giving way to a little more of a green character. The alcohol is coming through on the nose now. That's a little odd. On the palate, fruit is now starting to show up. A lot of black currant and a little bit of red licorice. Maybe a touch of black olives.
Overall, I'm ambivalent about this wine. It's not horrible; it's not a favorite. I'm not sure that it's going to age well at all.
*shrug*