You can expect the characteristics this vintage has bestowed upon this appellation, rich color, concentration, and generous tannins, and it feels a touch fresher than the 2018 vintage. Merlot offers a rich, full-bodied texture, but thanks to the significant proportion of Cabernet Franc, there is a graphite-like sharpness underlying it. Aging takes place entirely in new oak barrels, an unusual choice for a winery of this size, and only in a year with well-ripened fruit, such as 2019, can the wine handle that level of oak without losing its flavor.
Saint-Émilion has shown strong performance here, with excellent results in the 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019 vintages. This wine has the structure to reward patience. It is best enjoyed through 2042.
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.
