Château Rol Valentin
Rol Valentin
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
1996
Vintage
Varietal
Merlot
Where it is, October 2026
Past Window: the full drinking arc closed in 2025.
This bottle is beyond its drinking horizon.
The ‘96 Rol Valentin.
Château Rol Valentin 1996 is a Merlot from Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, France.
Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) drinking timeline
Storage and bottle condition can shift the experience.
The peak window sits inside the broader full drinking arc.
Tasting note
Mature Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Merlot should show softened black cherry and plum, with dried flowers and gentle earth in the aroma. The 1996 Rol Valentin is expected to feel smooth and settled, mellow tannins and modest acidity giving the palate a delicate, rounded shape. Its expected horizon is already behind it, so the finish may be short, carrying dried berry and faint spice in place of youthful fruit.
The 1996 vintage
Château Rol Valentin's 1996 wine is a Merlot from Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, France.
About Château Rol Valentin
Château Rol Valentin's wine is a Merlot from Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, France.
Pairing suggestions
Cellared suggestions based on the wine and dish descriptions.
Roasted lamb kreatopita with garlic and herbs
The pairing is scaled to the wine's medium body.
Braised duck confit with cherry reduction
The wine's balanced acidity keeps the pairing lively.
Aged bone-in ribeye with rosemary butter
The pairing leaves room for the wine's moderate tannins.
More from Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Frequently Asked
What is Château Rol Valentin 1996?
Château Rol Valentin 1996 is a Merlot from Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, France.
When should Château Rol Valentin 1996 be opened?
The canonical CAI full drinking arc is 1999-2025. Within that arc, the peak window is 2001-2018. The full arc is the broader period the wine may drink well; the peak window is when it is most likely to show its best balance. Storage, fill level, cork condition, and preference can shift the decision. Taste before adding more air or holding the rest.
What pairs with Château Rol Valentin 1996?
Pair this wine with Roasted lamb kreatopita with garlic and herbs; Braised duck confit with cherry reduction; or Aged bone-in ribeye with rosemary butter.