What follows is an excerpt for the 2008 Walla Walla Holiday Barrel Tasting Report. Read the full report here.After the initial release of their standout 2005 wines a year or more ago, my main question was whether Rollat was in it for the long haul. With the 2006 Merlot-based Sophie released earlier this year and the 2007 Edouard de Rollat sampled from the barrel this weekend, it is clear that Chateau Rollat is here to stay. Rollat’s wines have limited distribution but are well worth the trouble to look for. All wines sampled at 66 degrees.
| Wines: | |||
| Score | Name | Notes | $ |
| * | Rollat 2005 | Pops out of the glass with black pepper and vanilla. A pleasing weight on the taste. 80% Cabernet; 15% Merlot; 5% Cab Franc. Pepper Bridge & Seven Hills vineyards. 14.1% alcohol. | $38 |
| * | Rollat Walla Walla Valley 2007 | Reasonably light in color, this wine is marked by rich chocolate mixed with black cherry on the nose. On the taste, black pepper and spice show through on a beautifully structured wine with just the right amount of acidity. | BS |
| ** | Edouard de Rollat 2005 | A superb nose with cinnamon, spice, chocolate, and black pepper. A pleasing earthiness on the taste with a good structure and finish. Overall a very impressive effort. 75% Cabernet; 20% Merlot; 5% Cab Franc. Seven Hills and Pepper Bridge vineyards. 14.2% alcohol. | $62 |
| ** | Edouard de Rollat 2007 | An aromatic, intense nose marked by milk chocolate and anise. Lots of power and grip on the taste. | BS |
| * | Ardenvoir Semillon 2007 | Touches of lemon and yeast on the nose. The taste is marked by a hint of honey, a beautiful smoothness, and a crisp, tart finish. 13% alcohol. | $22 |
| * | Ardenvoir Rose Columbia Valley 2007 | Slightly aged looking in color, this delicious rose is marked by watermelon and mineral. Merlot, Cab Franc, and Cabernet. | $16 |
I've been hearing lots of good things about Rollat. Thank for the notes.
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