Chateau Rocheyron - 3 Flaschen frei Haus 2012

92 WINESPECTATOR: "Very ripe, with lush, velvety layers of plum sauce, melted licorice, warm fruitcake and blackberry reduction. Polished toast lines the core and carries the finish, with the fruit gliding through, while a flash of chalk adds cuts and length. Shows impressive depth for the vintage, with good cut for balance. Best from 2017 through 2027. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 884 cases made." 92 DECANTER: "Another ‘smaller’ estate from Peter Sisseck that is worth discovering. This time jointly owned with Silvio Denz. From a blend of 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, all farmed organically (they made no wine at all in 2013), and bottled unfiltered. One of those wines that makes me breathe a sigh of relief for St-Emilion – oak is used here to support and enrich the wine but never to overpower it. Instead the ruby fruit is showcased. This is mineral and fresh, focused summer fruits with gentle black spices and touches of cocoa." 17 RENÈ GABRIEL´S BX TOTAL: "90 % Merlot, 10 % Cabernet Franc. 13´000 Flaschen. Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Delikates Bouquet, rotes Cassis, Himbeeren, mit süssen Holznoten und Kokos unterlegt. Delikater Gaumen, sehr burgundisch, lang und dabei viel Finessen zeigend, endet rotbeerig mit einem Touch Grenadine. Momentan eher beruhigend, also kein Wein der blufft, sondern als Delikatesse seinen Weg suchen wird." - A.Kunz. 91 THE WINEADVOCATE: "The 2012 Château Rocheyron is a blend of 20% Cabernet Franc and 80% Merlot, with 13.3% alcohol. Peter Sisseck commented that this vintage benefitted from improvements made in the vineyard, and that is evidenced by the nose, much more complex than the 2011 with ebullient red cherry, wild strawberry, minerals and crushed rose petals. The palate is well balanced with fine tannin, not as forward or as savory as the 2011, better structure with a pinch of white pepper and sea salt on the finish. You start to see the character of the vineyard come through with this vintage. Excellent. Tasted March 2017." 90 THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Medium bodied, with a core of fresh, spicy, earthy black raspberries and dark chocolate covered cherries, this plush, polished will drink well young."