Le Carillon de Rouget 2011 - Second vin du Château Rouget

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Édouard Labruyère (Domaine Jacques Prieur in Burgundy, JM Labruyère in Champagne and Beaujolais) has restored this fine vineyard in the northern part of the Pomerol plateau to its former glory. The 1868 Féret Guide ranked Rouget among the top five estates in the region. Recent vintages show steady progress, and 2015 should hold some excellent surprises. Combining power and elegance, Rouget is becoming more refined in the structure of its tannins, with a smooth texture that fills the mouth nicely.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

In 1992, the Labruyères—originally from Beaujolais (Moulin-à-Vent) and now owners of estates in Burgundy (Jacques Prieur) and Champagne—acquired this estate, which has been renowned since the 18th century. They have elevated it to the ranks of Pomerol’s greats, thanks to wines of remarkable consistency, produced from 18 hectares of vineyards situated on gentle slopes on the Pomerol plateau.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Neighboring L’Église-Clinet, Rouget has made significant strides since its acquisition by the Labruyère family. Édouard Labruyère, who oversees the estate, spares no effort in elevating the property to the pinnacle of the appellation. The work, both in the vineyard and in the cellar, is meticulous; the wine possesses a beautiful depth of flavor and undeniable richness. The château’s pricing policy remains reasonable, making Rouget a great value within the appellation, with a decidedly modern style that emphasizes body intensity and the voluptuousness of fruit that increasingly borders on overripeness. This latter characteristic seems to us to dominate the most recent vintages, to the detriment of the wines’ overall balance and the finesse of their expression. That is why we are today removing one star from the estate’s rating.

James Suckling