Why I Think Château Rollin 2020 Stands Out From Cheaper Wines

When I first opened this bottle, I was impressed by the aromas—raspberries, purple plums, and a hint of lemon zest that reminded me of freshly sliced citrus at a weekend brunch. There were subtle notes of nutmeg and clay underneath. The chalky tannins and ripe, fruit-driven finish evoked a bright orchard in late summer. A simple yet good enough taste profile: creamy, European-style, not too modern Hong Kong, of great fruit and power, with ease.

What sets this Haut-Médoc apart from the cheaper wines I’ve tried is its completeness. Now feels like the ideal time to enjoy this elegant, balanced, and structured 2020 Cru Bourgeois. Sure, it didn’t receive scores from Robert Parker, Wine Enthusiast, or James Suckling—the big names don’t always review smaller estates. But it holds strong Bordeaux credentials: the 2020 vintage earned Gold at the Concours des Feminalise and a gold medal from Gilbert Gaillard. (Château de Fayolle - Bois du Sanglier 2020, 2020) And it benefits from a respected Cru Bourgeois classification.

While it may be considered light by connoisseur standards, its elegance pairs well with most Chinese dishes. Its subtle structure complements the delicate flavours of Cantonese steamed fish and balances the bold, spicy notes of Sichuan twice-cooked pork, providing a smooth dining experience. Château Rollin 2020 also pairs well with European cuisine, such as classic beef bourguignon or creamy mushroom risotto, improving their flavours. Mild to medium cheeses like Brie or Gruyère harmonise with the wine's refined character. The serving temperature should be 18°C; no decanting required. If you insist, limit it to 15 minutes. There is no cellar potential, but it will not degrade in the next 2 or 3 years if stored well.

Exceptional Terroir

What impressed me when I learned about this estate is that the vineyard sits on two high gravel ridges, 36 meters above sea level, with poor, filtering soils—the same type you find in grands crus Médocain terroirs. (Château Rollin Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois 2022, 2022) This elevation and mineral-rich terroir bring cooler nighttime temperatures, preserving the wine's natural acidity and enhancing flavor intensity. You can taste the difference. These conditions grant a depth of character that less expensive wines from flatter sites simply cannot achieve.

Traditional Viticulture Methods

The estate follows traditional Médoc practices, planting at 1-meter spacing with a density of about 7,000 vines per hectare and avoiding weedkillers. Grapes are carefully selected through cluster thinning and substantial leaf stripping to assure optimal maturity, yielding denser fruit and purer aromatics. This labor-intensive approach favors quality over quantity, a standard not feasible for mass-produced wines. Ignon, and 2% Petit Verdot. Merlot contributes fruit and structure, while Cabernet Sauvignon adds tannic richness, resulting in complexity not found in budget wines.

Character and Refinement

What I find compelling about Château Rollin is that it shows both finesse and power—a rare combination at this price point. The wine offers depth, elegance, and a sophisticated experience that punches above its weight.

Rising Quality and Recognition

Since the Martin family acquired the estate, the wines have improved in quality and reputation in France and internationally, revealing a commitment to winemaking excellence.

The Bottom Line

Here’s my bottom line: while less expensive wines may offer simple refreshment, Château Rollin 2020 delivers what I’d call a complete wine experience—rooted in exceptional terroir, meticulous viticulture, and Bordeaux tradition. Every step from soil to harvest reflects the winemaker’s devotion to quality.

To truly appreciate its distinctive qualities, I recommend enjoying this vintage at its peak, between 2024 and 2028. This window of optimal enjoyment accentuates the exclusivity and expertise behind each bottle. It’s a wine that rewards attention and deserves to be savoured, not rushed.

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初開這瓶酒，我就被它的香氣所吸引——覆盆子、紫李子，還有一絲檸檬皮的清香，讓我想起週末早午餐時新鮮切好的柑橘。其下隱隱透著肉荳蔻和泥土的氣息。單寧如粉筆般細膩，成熟果香濃鬱的餘韻，彷彿讓人置身於夏末明媚的果園。口感簡單卻不失精緻，帶有濃厚的歐洲風情。

這款上梅多克葡萄酒與我品嚐過的其他平價葡萄酒最大的區別在於它的完整性。現在正是享用這款優雅、平衡且結構嚴謹的2020年份中級莊葡萄酒的最佳時機。誠然，它並未獲得羅伯特·帕克、《葡萄酒愛好者》雜誌或詹姆斯·薩克林的評分——這些大牌酒評家並非總是會評價小型酒莊的佳釀。但它擁有強大的波爾多血統：2020年份的這款酒在法國女性葡萄酒大賽（Concours des Feminalise）中榮獲金獎，並斬獲吉爾伯特·蓋拉德金獎。 （法約爾酒莊 - 桑格利耶森林乾紅酒 2020，2020）這款酒榮獲中級酒莊（Cru Bourgeois）的殊榮。

雖然以鑑賞家的標準來看，這款酒可能略顯清淡，但其優雅的口感與大多數中式菜餚相得益彰。它細膩的結構襯托出粵式清蒸魚的鮮美，並平衡了四川回鍋肉濃鬱辛辣的風味，帶來順滑的用餐體驗。羅蘭酒莊 2020 也與歐洲菜餚完美搭配，例如經典的勃根地燉牛肉或奶油蘑菇燴飯，能夠提升菜餚的風味。布里起司或格魯耶爾起司等口感溫和至中等的起司與這款酒的精緻特性相得益彰。適飲溫度為 18°C，無需醒酒。如果一定要醒酒，請限制在 15 分鐘以內。這款酒沒有窖藏潛力，但如果妥善儲存，在未來 2 到 3 年內不會變質。

卓越的風土

當我了解到這家酒莊時，最令我印象深刻的是，葡萄園坐落在海拔36米的兩座高聳的礫石山脊上，土壤貧瘠且具有過濾性——與梅多卡特級葡萄園的土壤類型相同。 （羅蘭酒莊上梅多克中級園2022年份）這樣的海拔高度和富含礦物質的風土帶來了涼爽的夜間氣溫，保留了葡萄酒的天然酸度，並提升了風味的濃鬱度。您品嚐後便能感受到其中的差異。這些條件賦予了葡萄酒更深邃的個性，這是產自地勢平坦地區的廉價葡萄酒所無法企及的。

傳統葡萄栽培方法

酒莊遵循梅多克傳統的種植方式，葡萄藤株距1米，種植密度約為每公頃7000株，且不使用除草劑。透過疏果和大量摘葉，精心挑選葡萄，以確保其達到最佳成熟度，從而獲得更濃鬱的果香和更純淨的香氣。這種勞力密集的釀造方式註重品質而非產量，而大規模生產的葡萄酒無法達到這項標準。這款酒由伊尼翁（Ignon）和2%的小維鐸（Petit Verdot）混釀而成。梅洛（Merlot）賦予其果香和結構，赤霞珠（Cabernet Sauvignon）則增添了單寧的豐富度，造就了平價葡萄酒所不具備的複雜口感。

個性與精緻

羅蘭酒莊（Château Rollin）最吸引我的地方在於它兼具優雅與力量──在這個價位上，這樣的組合實屬難得。這款酒層次豐富、優雅精緻，帶來遠超其價格的卓越體驗。

品質與聲譽的提升

自從馬丁家族收購酒莊以來，羅蘭酒莊的葡萄酒在法國乃至國際上的品質和聲譽都得到了提升，展現了他們對卓越釀酒工藝的執著追求。

總結

我的總結是：雖然價格較低的葡萄酒可能只是簡單的清爽之選，但2020年份的羅蘭酒莊葡萄酒卻能帶來我所謂的完整葡萄酒體驗——它植根於卓越的風土、精益求精的葡萄栽培以及波爾多傳統。從土壤到葡萄採摘，每一步都體現了釀酒師對品質的執著追求。

為了真正領略這款酒的獨特魅力，我建議您在2024年至2028年之間，也就是它的巔峰時期享用。這段最佳飲用期更能凸顯每一瓶酒背後的獨特性和精湛技藝。這是一款值得細細品味的佳釀，切勿匆匆飲用。