Man kann die Eigenschaften erwarten, die dieser Jahrgang dieser Appellation verliehen hat: satte Farbe, Konzentration und großzügige Tannine, wobei er sich einen Hauch frischer anfühlt als der Jahrgang 2018. Merlot bietet eine reichhaltige, vollmundige Textur, doch dank des erheblichen Anteils an Cabernet Franc liegt eine graphitartige Schärfe im Hintergrund. Der Ausbau erfolgt ausschließlich in neuen Eichenfässern, eine ungewöhnliche Wahl für ein Weingut dieser Größe, und nur in einem Jahrgang mit gut gereiften Trauben wie 2019 kann der Wein diesen hohen Eichenanteil verkraften, ohne an Geschmack einzubüßen.
Saint-Émilion hat sich hier sehr gut geschlagen und in den Jahrgängen 2015, 2016, 2018 und 2019 hervorragende Ergebnisse erzielt. Dieser Wein verfügt über die nötige Struktur, um Geduld zu belohnen. Er lässt sich am besten bis 2042 genießen.
Robert Parker (91)
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Ripeau has an ambitious nose of cedar and clove oil over a core of baked plums, stewed black cherries, dried mulberries and fruitcake with touches of mocha and sautéed herbs. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a solid, chewy frame and just enough freshness to support the baked berries flavors, finishing a tad firm.
James Suckling (93)
A fragrant nose of dark cherries, dark plums, earth, walnuts, stones and baking spices. Medium-to full-bodied with plush tannins. Layered and creamy with plenty of dark fruit on the palate and a lively, spicy finish. Try from 2024.
Vinous (93)
The 2019 Ripeau offers up a beguiling mix of sweet red cherry fruit, blood orange, rose petal, new leather, licorice and spice. Bright and racy, with striking aromatic presence and inner perfume, Ripeau is wonderfully expressive today. The 2019 will drink well with minimal cellaring. It's a joy of a wine.
Jeb Dunnuck (95)
Lots of pure cassis, tobacco leaf, lead pencil shavings, chocolate, and spring flowers emerge from the 2019 Château Ripeau, a ripe, seamless, incredibly sexy 2019 that has great tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a seriously impressive finish. This estate has been on a roll over the past 6-7 years, and the 2019 is no exception, and if anything, it might be the finest vintage to date. It has the purity, balance, and texture to shine even today and is going to continue drinking brilliantly for another two decades.
Falstaff (91)
Dark ruby, firm core, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening. Dark berry fruit, herbal savouriness, a hint of liquorice, tobacco and vegetal nuances. Medium body, subtle fruit sweetness, ripe tannins, sweet plum on the finish, mineral aftertaste, some nougat on the finish, will benefit from further maturation in the bottle, only slowly gains momentum.
