2021 Rocheyron

The 2021 Rocheyron has turned out beautifully in bottle, unfurling in the glass with aromas of blackberries, spices and vanilla pod. Medium to full-bodied, supple and seamless, it's suave and polished, with a succulent core of fruit, melting tannins and a mineral finish. Peter Sisseck and his team have optimized the vintage's inherent potential rather than trying to compensate for its perceived deficiencies, and the result is a wine of quintessential elegance.

Aromas of dark cherries, blue plums, and lavender followed by sage, pencil lead and blanched almonds with very refined and integrated notes of toast and baking spices. Full-bodied, bright acidity with solid yet racy fine-grained tannins. Impressive precision and accuracy with harmony for the vintage. From organically grown grapes. It’s beautiful already but will age gracefully. Try after 2026.

Rocheyron is never afraid of a little austerity when it's young, and this character is emphasised even more clearly in the 2021 because of the unusual blend after mildew (a full 40% Cabernet Franc). Clear focus on florality, with waves of violet and raspberry leaf, white pepper, oyster shell, crushed raspberry, orange peel and deftly-expressed blueberry puree. This is now at the end of its ageing in barrel, and as I expected En Primeur it has filled out, leading to a small upscore, but it will remain in bottle at the estate for another few months. One to look out for, beautifully crafted. 18hl/h yield, certified organic, in biodynamic conversion, 30% new oak for ageing.