By Chateau Roylland
2020 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Estate Background
Located in the Cove of Mazerat, Chateau Roylland is the immediate neighbor of some of the greatest Chateaux of Saint-Emilion (i.e., Chateau Angelus, Chateau Berliquet, Chateau Matras, Chateau Canon, Chateau Quintus, Chateau Beausejour HDL, etc.). A very old property, Chateau Roylland dates back to the time of Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Vineyard Management
Using natural grass cover with tillage under the rows, the vineyard is managed in accordance with the rules of sustainable agriculture. Green work is carried out by a team of seasonal workers trained by the estate and who are fully familiar with the vineyard. This team supervises the harvesters to sort the grapes in the vineyard. Transported in crates to the winery, the harvest, after destemming, is sorted using the tribaie method and then undergoes a second manual sorting before vatting.

Vineyard Details
Appellation: Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Area: 5 hectares
Soil: Clay-loam and sandy-clay
Age: 25 years
Density: 5,500 to 6,000 vines/hectare
Yield: 45 hectoliters
Grape Varieties: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
Harvest Dates: September 21 to September 30
Consultant: Francois Despagne and Steph Toutoundji

Production
Vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats; extraction protocols based on gentle pumping over are used to preserve the fruit aromas and obtain fine, soft tannins. Vatting lasts 20 to 24 days. The wine then ages for 12 months in barrels, 50% new.
[Information provided by Beyerman]

Wine: 2020 Chateau Roylland
Score/Rating: 93
Suggested Drinking Window: 2023 - 2038
Review Date: 03/29/2023
Reviewed By: Jeb Dunnuck        
Tasting Notes: From vines just beside Angelus, the 2020 Chateau Roylland has a terrific perfume of red and black fruits as well as camphor, chalky minerality, black raspberries, and chocolate. Mostly Merlot [...], 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.

Wine: Chateau Roylland St.-Emilion 2020
Score/Rating: 92
Suggested Drinking Window: Drink after 2026
Review Date: 12/05/2022
Reviewed By: James Suckling
Tasting Notes: 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.

Wine: 2020 Roylland
Score/Rating: 92
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2035
Review Date: 12/2022
Reviewed By: Antonio Galloni
Tasting Notes: The 2020 Roylland shows all the intensity it had as a barrel sample, but with a bit more tannic heft. Creme de cassis, bittersweet chocolate, leather, licorice and copious sweet oak all build into the racy, layered finish.

Wine: 2020 Chateau Roylland St. Emilion Grand Cru)
Score/Rating: 91
Suggested Drinking Window: 2023 - 2037
Review Date: 03/21/2023
Tasting Notes: 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.

Wine: 2020 Roylland
Score/Rating: 90
Suggested Drinking Window: 2023-2037
Review Date: 03/23/2023
Reviewed By: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Tasting Notes: 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.

Wine: 2020 Roylland
Score/Rating: 87
Suggested Drinking Window: 2023 - 2035
Review Date: 04/06/2023
Reviewed By: William Kelley
Tasting Notes: The 2020 Roylland exhibits aromas of dark berries, cherries and licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, ample palate that's a little open-knit, concluding with a somewhat metallic finish.

Wine: Chateau Roylland, St-Emilion, Grand Cru, Bordeaux, 2020
Score/Rating: 87
Suggested Drinking Window: 2024 - 2030
Review Date: 04/30/2021
Reviewed By: Jane Anson
Tasting Notes: 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.