Wine Region
Saint-Émilion, France
Vineyard
Château Rocheyron
Rocheyron is a cool site. So cool, in fact, that its vines escaped the infamous 1956 frost, which decimated much of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. The sap had still not started moving in Rocheyron’s vines, which remained in their dormant, protected phase.Nearly 70 years later, Rocheyron’s cool terroir is again proving a boon in the age of climate change. You can see how its ability to retain freshness and its enviable location on the edge of Saint-Émilion’s famous limestone plateau, appeal to Peter Sisseck. Bordeaux was where Peter’s winemaking career began, before he moved to Spain and founded Dominio de Pingus. His return to take on Rocheyron in the 2010 vintage was therefore a completing of the circle. Rocheyron was the surname of the family who owned the estate in the seventeenth century. The cellar and vineyard team is managed by Régisseur Mathieu Raveraud, who has worked alongside Peter here since the estate was acquired in 2011 and in his quiet, assured way, has been a key ingredient in the success of Rocheyron. The estate has been certified organic since the 2020 vintage and continues in biodynamic conversion, having started the process in 2014. This is a château that has found its path – the past few vintages have produced beautiful wines which hit the sweet spot between aroma and density, with that underpinning limestone tension.I spoke to Peter at Rocheyron in April – have a watch of the short video below…
GUY SEDDON
HEAD OF FINE WINE BUYING
May 2024


THE 2023 VINTAGE, IN THE WORDS OF PETER SISSECK
The mild winter, early budbreak and even flowering led to a very big crop that set off a few alarms. How could we drop fruit without stressing the vines too much? By June, rain set in – nature’s own crop-limiting effect.
But then, help… mildew!! We lost around 35 % of the Merlot, but the Cabernet [Franc] escaped. This proved to be a help in disguise. If we had avoided the mildew, the Merlot crop would have been too big, leading to certain dilution in the wines.
We were able to start the harvest very early – in fact, we had to, as sugars were rising fast – on 10th September. This is a more usual start date for nearby Pomerol, who normally harvest 10 days earlier than us.
Because of the concentration of the low yielding Merlot and the relatively high potential alcohol, extreme care had to be taken to avoid too much extraction. A low fermentation temperature (around 22°C) and 30% of normal pump-overs were used.
The 2023 vintage, although extreme, enjoyed particularly favourable conditions at the key stages in the vine growing cycle and the ripening process. Our clay-limestone terroirs are outstanding for Merlot. Fruity but without even a hint of over-ripeness, smooth yet well balanced, this grape is irresistibly sophisticated and charming. The Cabernet Franc was very successful, with radiant aromas that add another dimension to the blend, and a characteristic texture that contributes to our wines' freshness and balance.

CHÂTEAU ROCHEYRON 2023
CHÂTEAU ROCHEYRON 2023
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Peter Sisseck’s Rocheyron is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc in 2023. Open, inviting aromas of violets, cedary spices, raspberry and blackberry. The palate is richer than the nose suggests, offering dark, saturated berry fruit of velvety texture, framed by supple, detailed tannins. The finish is long and focused, with lingering notes of plum, cocoa and rhubarb. The yield was 35hl/ha. Following fermentation at cool temperatures of around 22°C, the wine spent between 25 and 28 days in concrete vats, before being transferred to oak barrels where it will undergo 12 months of élevage in a third new oak barrels. The equivalent of 20,000 bottles has been produced.
Corney & Barrow Score 18+
Recommended drinking from 2029 - 2040+
£415/CASE OF 6 Bottles
£145/CASE OF 1 Magnum
£315/CASE OF 1 Double Magnum
£605/CASE OF 1
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CHÂTEAU ROCHEYRON 2022 VINTAGE EN PRIMEUR

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CHÂTEAU ROCHEYRON 2020 VINTAGE EN PRIMEUR

CHÂTEAU ROCHEYRON 2019 VINTAGE EN PRIMEUR

CHÂTEAU ROCHEYRON 2018 VINTAGE EN PRIMEUR
