Château Rol Valentin, St Emilion Grand Cru,

A high scorer on release, at a point where this was still owned by former footballer Éric Prissette, before it was sold in 2009 to today's owners Alexandra and Nicolas Robin. One of the original band of garagiste wines, this is still showing the oak dominance that was there during En Primeur. It is confident, with a ton of impact but not a lot of nuance, majoring instead on liqourice, bitter black chocolate, spice, damson jam and black cherry fruit. Enjoyable, no need to wait any further to drink, but I definitely suggest a good few hours in a carafe.

The 2005 Rol Valentin is absolutely gorgeous. Inky, rich and opulent, the 2005 is supremely well done in this style. Moreover, it has aged impeccably. Blackberry jam, chocolate, mocha and sweet French oak are all kicked up to the maximum. Readers will find an unabashedly flamboyant, heady Saint-Émilion that delivers the goods and then some.