Visit Domaine Marc Roy – tasting of the 2016 vintage

39 celsius … trying to find some shadow for the car on Place des Marronniers – then a short walk to Domaine Marc Roy. It’s burning hot and even the short trip across RN974 is daunting mid-day – Vikings are not made for these temperatures.

At Domaine Marc Roy I find Marc Roy himself just back from the vineyards … and then the fair Alexandrine arrives – also directly from the vineyards. Alexandrine explains that they have decided to call a day as the vines are getting a bit stressed by the high temperatures – hence no need to add further stress by trimming them at this stage.

Alexandrine Roy – photo from a earlier visit

The cellar of Domaine Marc Roy is cool … but not freezing as the photos could indicate – these are from earlier visits.

A bit of history about the Marc Roy estate

Alexandrine is the fourth generation at the domaine (with the next generation recently born), and she is running the estate with her father, Marc Roy, who is still very active in the vineyards – even on this hot summer day. One sense a very strong bond and a fine understanding between the proud father and Alexandrine – and as a harmonious team they do make some truly magnificent wines.

They may only produce village wines – nevertheless this is one of my favourite estates in Burgundy – and underlines that even serious collectors can get a great buzz from a village level wine.

Alexandrine made her debut as winemaker with the 2003 vintage, and have over the years refined her wines to be some of the most vibrant, refined and transparent terroir driven Gevrey wines made today.

I was blown away the first time I tasted her wines, and my tasting of the 2016 vintage from cask just confirmed my passion for these wines.

Alexandrine makes 4 village reds and a Marsanney Blanc – all are magnificent in their own way and style. They are all pure, airy and intense but still quite light-footed and filigree for these appellations.

In 2016 the yields were down by 30% due to the frost and other challenges in this difficult year … so quantites limited.

So to the tasting notes ….

Domaine Marc Roy, Marsannay Blanc 2016

I do enjoy a white Marsannay – they are sadly overlooked – but many producers are now taking this very seriously and the wines from Domaine Trapet and Alexandrine Roy do make delightful drinking. The 2016 Marsannay Blanc is forward fruity with some exotic orchard fruits – lovely white peach – paired with a lovely chunky minerality. On the palate nice vibrant tension a nice juicy fruit and a fine supporting minerality. A strong candidate for a light lunch or some light summer food on the terrace.

(Drink from 2019) – Good+ (85 – 87p) – Tasted 22/06/2017 from CASK

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Domaine Marc Roy, Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2016

The Gevrey Vieilles Vigne is showing a slight reduction and is slightly backward currently compared to the other three – classic Gevrey with a earthy notes and a hint of iron. The fruit is relatively dark but with a nice vibrant core infused with some juicy red notes. The acidity is vibrant and the display is offering a nice backbone to the wine. A lovely village in the making …

(Drink from 2023) – Very Good (88 – 90p) – Tasted 22/06/2017 from CASK

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Domaine Marc Roy, Gevrey Chambertin La Justice 2016

La Justice – located just behind the domaine – is much more forward and expressive at this stage showing all the goods so to speak. The bouquet offer plenty of red and dark berry fruit – cherries, boysenberries and red and black currant – quite floral. On the palate generous with a juicy and forward fruit on the mid-palate. This is really a charming wine in the making.

(Drink from 2022) – Very Good+ (89 – 90p) – Tasted 22/06/2017 from CASK

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Domaine Marc Roy, Gevrey Chambertin Clos Prieur 2016

The Clos Prieur is quite a step up in my view and a delightful wine from this special terroir located just below Mazis-Chambertin. In the nose delicate quite floral red fruit, hint of cinnamon, and perfumed by a quite intense chalky/earthy minerality. On the palate juicy and cool offering plenty of detail and complexity with this fine chalkiness interlinked with the red berry fruit. A delightful and complex village in the making – chapeau!

(Drink from 2024) – Very Good++ (90 – 91p) – Tasted 22/06/2017 from CASK

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