2020 Y. Rousseau. Le Roi Soleil Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
Our 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Le Roi Soleil is a classic and distinctive rendition of two of the most highly regarded appellations of Napa Valley: Mount Veeder and Rutherford. The nose exhibits intense, dark berries, and black cherry baked pie with underbrush earthy notes. The mouth is full, bursts with complex flavors, bold tannic structure, and a great balance between richness and energy. High mountain fruit brings depth, density, beautiful black fruit, and foresty notes. The refined and well-integrated French oak adds layers and complexity to the mouthfeel. Long finish and aging potential of 5 to 10 years.
The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for the 2020 Le Roi Soleil came from two ultra-premium vineyards: one, sustainably farmed and located in the highly acclaimed Mount Veeder appellation at 2,000 feet elevation and one, organically farmed, from Rutherford. Grapes were hand harvested before the fires.
Specs
Vintage: 2020
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Napa Valley
Fermentation: 100% naturally fermented using native yeasts.
Aging: Barrel aged for 20 months, 75 % new French Oak from Tonnellerie de Jarnac.
Alcohol: 14.5
pH: 3.75
Production: 75 cases
2018 Y. Rousseau. The Musketeer, Napa Valley
93 points ~ Tasting Panel and The Somm Journal
Tasting Notes
Vibrant, inky-dark color with a purple hue. The nose opens on lush, ripe black raspberry fruits and dark roast coffee notes. Earthy undertones intermingle with spices and plush cherries in the mouth. The palate is loaded with dark ripe berries, hints of warm spices and espresso. This is an elegant wine, bold, intense, and dense, memorably balanced with a persistent finish. Drink now after 2 hours decanting or between 2022 and 2035.
Vineyard: Single-Vineyard, Rutherford AVA, west side of Hwy 29. Medium-sized clusters, tight small berries with thick skins. East facing. French clones. 25 years old vines
With the cheerful pun, “All for Wine and Wine for All,” Yannick Rousseau’s interpretation of this swashbuckling variety is intriguing. Held together with building blocks of concentrated red cherry, new leather, violets, and licorice-bathed slate, this red demands attention. Engarde!" 93 points ~ Meredith May, Tasting Panel and The Somm Journal
Tannat’s roots reach through the same French countryside as Yannick’s. As one of the Southwest of France’s hallmark red beauties, it hails from the Madiran region near the Pyrénées mountains. It was the first red grape varietal with which Yannick made wine as an intern winemaker at Chateau Montus and Chateau Bouscassé, the top wine estates of Tannat in the Madiran appellation, which is owned by Tannat guru, Alain Brumont.
Tannat’s allure has only increased with the discovery in recent years of its uniquely high levels of antioxidant polyphenols and the heart-healthy compound procyanadin. (Remember the French paradox? This wine is part of why the folks from this region live longer than anywhere on earth!). By Professor Roger Corder, author of The Red Wine Diet.
Specs
Vintage: 2018
Varietal: Tannat
Appellation: Napa Valley
Alcohol: 14.7%
What’s Included
2-bottles:
1x 2020 Y. Rousseau. Le Roi Soleil Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
1x 2018 Y. Rousseau. The Musketeer, Napa Valley
Case:
6x 2020 Y. Rousseau. Le Roi Soleil Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Y. Rousseau Wines is a dream that began long ago in the South-West of France and continues to grow and evolve today. Yannick Rousseau, French native, founder and winemaker, followed his heart and passion for winemaking all the way to Napa Valley where he met his Texan-born wife, Susan. The two of them bring their combined entrepreneurial savvy to embrace the ebbs and flows of running a family winery with the legacy of their racines, hospitable style, and discriminating artisanship.
Yannick’s reputation has been made not by following in anyone’s particular footsteps but rather by taking what he has learned from great mavericks and integrating it into what he discovers to be true. His history of working with grape varietals from the Southwest of France is well known. Now, he carries forward his winemaking mission still embracing Colombard, Tannat and other favored varietals and blending them to create revived, and even edge-bending wines.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
@klezman Morning, Yannick Rousseau her. I would recommend to drink the 2015 this year. It’s fantastic and at its peak. For the 2016, you can drink now and up to 2028; very classic vintage. Both wines can use some decanting.
@jmdavidson what do you think? I have a few bottles left of the musketeer from the last offering and I love them. Curious about this cab.
Man the cab really drives the price up. Feel like (trying to remember) the case of tannat alone was 260ish? Maybe I’m wrong but it certainly wasn’t $400.
Every search (other than in the direct website) indicates these bottles retail for around $30-$50. $125 seems steep for this particular cab. Where do they get that number?
Morning! Yes, our Cabernet Sauvignon Le Roi Soleil has been priced at $125 since the vintage 2017. It’s our best effort from Napa Valley since we started the winery in 2008
That Tasting Panel/Somm Journal note:
Y. Rousseau 2018 The Musketeer Tannat, Napa Valley ($75) Embodying the cheerful pun “all for wine and wine for all,” Yannick Rousseau’s interpretation of this swashbuckling variety intrigues. Built with blocks of concentrated red cherry, new leather, violets, and licorice-bathed slate, it demands attention.
En garde! 93—M.M Jan/Feb '22
Wine Enthusiast on the 2018:
87 Points. This robust wine is big in style and dark fruit, with leathery texture and dry tannins. The oak is generous and adds to the weightiness on the palate. VB 11/1/21
I will pass on this offer. Prices in wineries are always expensive, it is not possible to make this comparison. $4 shipping is above the average here of $2. Anyway, with 4 offers here a week, I’ll just wait for a better one.
@grafos The shipping is always $8 for the small lot and $12 for the full case lot. Even $4/bottle for a shipment of 2 bottles is a monstrous savings compared to what it actually costs (probably closer to $13-15/bottle).
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
Y. Rousseau. Napa Valley Reds - $140 = 25.9%
@yannickrousseau
Hi Yannick, thank you for continuing to offer your delicious wines on Casemates! The 25.9% savings referenced above is just the “per bottle” price difference at the 2 bottle rate vs. the full case rate for this offer. It’s savings upon savings!
Hello! i was fortunate to receive a bottle of the muskateer to try. Full disclosure, I’m a little bit of a fanboi of the winemaker, having enjoyed the tannat, previous muskateer, and the butchers blend.
Pop and pour on this one, definitely dark fruit, and a little boozy, dark purple in the glass. Same on initial tasting. Decanted for about an hour. i also happen to have the 2017, so it seemed like a good opportunity to compare.
After decanting, the alcohol had dissipated, dark fruit remained, and this wine is dry and delicious. All in all, I would say that you can definitely tell this is the same wine, but the 2018 is more ‘approachable’ now.
Day 2: Paired with some hard cheese, blue cheese and dark chocolate, and this really worked well for us. These are relatively big wines, and wines had both opened up a bit and some of the edges had really softened. Both of these wines, IMO will benefit from some time, but very drinkable now with the right pairing and some time in the decanter. I haven’t had the Cab, but I’m in for a case, and I feel like even at this price, there is a ton of value here.
i did not open a bottle of the tannat, but for me, the muskateer is a more enjoyable wine, though the tannat is no slouch either.
@cbrehman I don’t know what you mean when you say, “i did not open a bottle of the tannat, but for me, the muskateer [sic] is a more enjoyable wine.” The Musketeer IS tannat.
Bonjour! The Tannat The Musketeer in this offer is our Reserve / “Top Shelf” / 100% Tannat; and is from Napa Valley. We make The Musketeer to compete with the best Tannat in the world. The other Tannat you are referring to is the Clarksburg Tannat which is currently sold out.
2020 Y.Rousseau Cabernet Sauvignon
AAAAAH! So this rattage is very late and will be lacking photos, apologies! I was chosen to taste the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon and I was excited when I got this bottle, because I have ordered through casemates before and have enjoyed what I received. It had a nice typical Cabernet color and good clarity. I will say when I went to take the initial whiff of the wine, I got quite a strong blast in the face. It was a lot of alcohol and a bit of an astringent smell. I decided to give it a sit before going back in. I let it sit for a good hour and then tried again. The wine smelled pretty young (which makes sense) and I was able to smell some slight herbaceous notes and still a bit of that sharp astringent smell.
I took a sip and it tasted the way it smelled, pretty young and brassy with some greenery in the background. It felt light on the tongue and the tannins weren’t over powering. I had this wine with some meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and creamed corn. It helped to clear the palate, but did not impart or enhance any of the flavors for the meal. The more I drank this wine the more I warmed up to it, but I think holding on to this for a little while will help it even more. Like I said I have had other offering from the label that I liked and so I think this Cab would be a good buy if you have the space to let it sit for a while.
2020 Y. Rousseau. Le Roi Soleil Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
Specs
2018 Y. Rousseau. The Musketeer, Napa Valley
93 points ~ Tasting Panel and The Somm Journal
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
2-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$1,140.00/Case for 6x 2020 Y. Rousseau. Le Roi Soleil Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (not sold online, $125/Bottle) + 6x 2018 Y. Rousseau. The Musketeer, Napa Valley at Y Rousseau Wines
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Jan 30 - Tuesday, Jan 31
Y. Rousseau. Napa Valley Reds
2 bottles for $89.99 $45/bottle + $4/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $399.99 $33.33/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2020 Y. Rousseau. Le Roi Soleil Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Y. Rousseau. The Musketeer Tannat
Any Denver/Boulder area splitters? Ideally I’d like 4 bottles.
@kristian I can do 8. You order, or me?
I just picked up some 2015 and 2016 Roi de Soleil. Thoughts on drinking windows for those?
@klezman Morning, Yannick Rousseau her. I would recommend to drink the 2015 this year. It’s fantastic and at its peak. For the 2016, you can drink now and up to 2028; very classic vintage. Both wines can use some decanting.
@yannickrousseau thanks! Will put a 2015 in the queue.
@klezman
@jmdavidson what do you think? I have a few bottles left of the musketeer from the last offering and I love them. Curious about this cab.
Man the cab really drives the price up. Feel like (trying to remember) the case of tannat alone was 260ish? Maybe I’m wrong but it certainly wasn’t $400.
@pete0744 According to my CT it was $26/bottle
@pete0744 @pupator 2017 was up a couple of times looks like, $299.99 + the ship.
@kaolis @pete0744 @pupator
I have the Alder Springs Tannat listed at $23
@pete0744 emailed you
@pete0744 The normal price for this specific mixed case would be $1140 (not including shipping).
@pete0744
Also, what is important to know is that, we only made 3 barrels (75 cases, 900 bottles) of both of these wines. Very limited production.
Every search (other than in the direct website) indicates these bottles retail for around $30-$50. $125 seems steep for this particular cab. Where do they get that number?
@kamnel This does appear to have a winery release price of $125. Now what you pay at retail can be a different story
@kamnel
Morning! Yes, our Cabernet Sauvignon Le Roi Soleil has been priced at $125 since the vintage 2017. It’s our best effort from Napa Valley since we started the winery in 2008
@yannickrousseau Hi Yannick, What are the drinking windows for these two offers?
@Boatman72 The Musketeer 2018: now (1-2 hours decanting) to 2032
Cabernet Le Roi Soleil 2020: drink from this fall to 2028
That Tasting Panel/Somm Journal note:
Y. Rousseau 2018 The Musketeer Tannat, Napa Valley ($75) Embodying the cheerful pun “all for wine and wine for all,” Yannick Rousseau’s interpretation of this swashbuckling variety intrigues. Built with blocks of concentrated red cherry, new leather, violets, and licorice-bathed slate, it demands attention.
En garde! 93—M.M Jan/Feb '22
Wine Enthusiast on the 2018:
87 Points. This robust wine is big in style and dark fruit, with leathery texture and dry tannins. The oak is generous and adds to the weightiness on the palate. VB 11/1/21
fwiw
@kaolis Oh…the Tasting Panel blurb was in the writeup… once again I will blame on insufficient
@kaolis I had a question or two on the 87 point Wine Enthusiast review. To clarify it is for the 2018 Musketeer Tannat…link here
I’ve liked all of the Y. Rousseau wines I’ve had. But this might be out of the current budget.
Any lab rats on this one?
I will pass on this offer. Prices in wineries are always expensive, it is not possible to make this comparison. $4 shipping is above the average here of $2. Anyway, with 4 offers here a week, I’ll just wait for a better one.
@grafos The shipping is always $8 for the small lot and $12 for the full case lot. Even $4/bottle for a shipment of 2 bottles is a monstrous savings compared to what it actually costs (probably closer to $13-15/bottle).
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
Y. Rousseau. Napa Valley Reds - $140 = 25.9%
You will be saving $740 ! 65% off
@yannickrousseau
Hi Yannick, thank you for continuing to offer your delicious wines on Casemates! The 25.9% savings referenced above is just the “per bottle” price difference at the 2 bottle rate vs. the full case rate for this offer. It’s savings upon savings!
@chipgreen oops! sorry, I misunderstood…moving too fast.
Hello! i was fortunate to receive a bottle of the muskateer to try. Full disclosure, I’m a little bit of a fanboi of the winemaker, having enjoyed the tannat, previous muskateer, and the butchers blend.
Pop and pour on this one, definitely dark fruit, and a little boozy, dark purple in the glass. Same on initial tasting. Decanted for about an hour. i also happen to have the 2017, so it seemed like a good opportunity to compare.
After decanting, the alcohol had dissipated, dark fruit remained, and this wine is dry and delicious. All in all, I would say that you can definitely tell this is the same wine, but the 2018 is more ‘approachable’ now.
Day 2: Paired with some hard cheese, blue cheese and dark chocolate, and this really worked well for us. These are relatively big wines, and wines had both opened up a bit and some of the edges had really softened. Both of these wines, IMO will benefit from some time, but very drinkable now with the right pairing and some time in the decanter. I haven’t had the Cab, but I’m in for a case, and I feel like even at this price, there is a ton of value here.
i did not open a bottle of the tannat, but for me, the muskateer is a more enjoyable wine, though the tannat is no slouch either.
@cbrehman I don’t know what you mean when you say, “i did not open a bottle of the tannat, but for me, the muskateer [sic] is a more enjoyable wine.” The Musketeer IS tannat.
@cbrehman @ddeuddeg There is a regular bottling of Tannat if I’m not mistaken…was offered here awhile back. Perhaps that’s the reference?
@cbrehman @ddeuddeg @kaolis
Bonjour! The Tannat The Musketeer in this offer is our Reserve / “Top Shelf” / 100% Tannat; and is from Napa Valley. We make The Musketeer to compete with the best Tannat in the world. The other Tannat you are referring to is the Clarksburg Tannat which is currently sold out.
I held out until day 2, I really don’t need more wine but I did need the Tannat so I bought a case.
2020 Y.Rousseau Cabernet Sauvignon
AAAAAH! So this rattage is very late and will be lacking photos, apologies! I was chosen to taste the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon and I was excited when I got this bottle, because I have ordered through casemates before and have enjoyed what I received. It had a nice typical Cabernet color and good clarity. I will say when I went to take the initial whiff of the wine, I got quite a strong blast in the face. It was a lot of alcohol and a bit of an astringent smell. I decided to give it a sit before going back in. I let it sit for a good hour and then tried again. The wine smelled pretty young (which makes sense) and I was able to smell some slight herbaceous notes and still a bit of that sharp astringent smell.
I took a sip and it tasted the way it smelled, pretty young and brassy with some greenery in the background. It felt light on the tongue and the tannins weren’t over powering. I had this wine with some meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and creamed corn. It helped to clear the palate, but did not impart or enhance any of the flavors for the meal. The more I drank this wine the more I warmed up to it, but I think holding on to this for a little while will help it even more. Like I said I have had other offering from the label that I liked and so I think this Cab would be a good buy if you have the space to let it sit for a while.
@scenicready better late than never, and I don’t think pictures are all that helpful in rat reports, so don’t sweat it! Thanks for the rattage!