Chateau Roylland 2020

Fairly tight through the opening, this feels like the tannins are constricting the fruit. Hard to gain momentum through the palate. Should soften over ageing.

Blueberry, ash and violets on the nose follow through to a medium body with creamy tannins and a wet earth, pine needle and stone undertone. Drink after 2026.

The 2020 Roylland has a very intense and decadent bouquet with plush black cherry and crème de cassis aromas. Lots of crushed violet here. The palate is medium-bodied with sweet tannins, very oaky so that the wood tannins crowd out the terroir expression on the finish. I feel this could have been better with more prudence in the winery.

Round, lush and supple, the wine is packed with black cherries, espresso, dark chocolate, licorice and spice from start to finish. This rich wine will be delicious on release and over its first decade of life. Drink from 2023-2037.

Deep ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, slight brightening at the rim. Ripe plum, a hint of nougat, delicate herbal savouriness, orange zest in the background. Powerful, juicy palate with sweet plum, vivid, ripe tannins, salty minerality on the finish, chocolaty aftertaste.

From vines just beside Angélus, the 2020 Château Roylland has a terrific perfume of red and black fruits as well as camphor, chalky minerality, black raspberries, and chocolate. Mostly Merlot (there's 21% Cabernet Franc), this full-bodied, wonderfully pure, elegant, yet concentrated 2020 is already hard to resist due to its fruit and texture yet should have no issues evolving nicely over the coming 10-15 years.

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2020 Roylland skips out with easy-going notes of baked plums, boysenberry preserves, and kirsch, plus wafts of wild sage and star anise. The full-bodied palate has nice rounded tannins and bags of juicy black fruits, finishing long and lively.

Finesse always pays off in the end… and Château Roylland can finally reap the rewards of the work accomplished over the past few years. The bouquet of the 2020 is highly convincing thanks to its subtlety, attention to detail, and ability to bridge élevage with floral and fruity notes. On the palate, the wine is delicate with elegant tannins, while the aromatic expression carries through to the finish. What a superb evolution! Bravo