Visiting Alexandrine Roy and tasting her latest vintage just before the bottling is an annual tradition I enjoy greatly. The tasting is professional, swift, and to the point – and all with a friendly smile. This makes reviewing the wines easy.
Domaine Marc Roy’s wines are archetypal vins d’emotion, wines that will thrill and immerse you in hedonistic pleasure. While not at the very top of the Burgundy hierarchy, they are nevertheless always a treat.
Often I have recommended that collectors get a Cuvee Alexandrine instead of a more expensive Charmes-Chambertin from elsewhere that needs ten years or more in the cellar. Get the 2017 Alexandrine from Domaine Marc Roy, and spread joy amongst your friends.
Marc Roy through the years
Alexandrine is the fourth generation at the domaine, and she is running the estate with her father Marc, who is still active in the vineyards.
I have tasted the Marc Roy wines since 2015 (tasting the 2014s), and it is with great pleasure that I visit the estate every year:
- Domaine Marc Roy – tasting the 2014s
- Domaine Marc Roy – tasting the 2015s
- Domaine Marc Roy – tasting the 2016s
- Domaine Marc Roy – tasting the 2017s
- Domaine Marc Roy – tasting the 2018s
- Domaine Marc Roy – tasting the 2019s
- Domaine Marc Roy – tasting the 2020s
Tasting the 2021s
Alexandrine Roy makes enjoyable, hedonistic, beautiful wines in every vintage. She knows her vines very well, and with the short elevage – the 2021s will be bottled in late August ’22 – the wines have an appealing, embracing feel. The cooler 2021 has delivered a beautiful line-up of distinctive wines, each showing their strengths. What joys!
All are forward and quite delicate, but the intensity is still very good. I adore the ’21s here, and somehow it’s the 2020s that are going to suffer a bit compared with the exuberant 2019s and the delicate 2021s.
This is Burgundy at its best: Each vintage offers a new take on terroirs and cuvees.
And so, to the cellar!
Domaine Marc Roy Marsannay Blanc 2021
The Marsannay Blanc was quite badly hit by the frost, so production is sadly limited. With the fresh, delicate feel of 2021, the vines in Marsannay Les Champs Perdrix are a perfect canvas, giving a wine that is cool and refined, and with gorgeous acidity. I love the airy lightness, which is quite unusual for a Marsannay blanc.
(Drink from 2027) – Very Good (88-89p) – Tasted 25/07/2022 from CASK – 
Domaine Marc Roy Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2021
The Gevrey Vieilles Vignes is a classic: Coming from 80-year-old vines, it’s a wine that truly benefits from vine age. The slight reduction rapidly blows off, leaving a lively, vividly cool character – the signature of 2021. The old vines give a silky density to this wine, which is not terribly precise, but is oh so enjoyable. I shall only say this once: It isn’t about the points. It’s about the joy.
(Drink from 2028) – Very Good (88-90p) – Tasted 25/07/2022 from CASK – 
Domaine Marc Roy Gevrey-Chambertin La Justice 2021
La Justice vineyard is located just behind the estate in the large alluvial fan coming from the Combe de Lavaut. These are somewhat younger vines, but the wine is more precise than the blended Vieilles Vignes. This shows a beautiful, precise bouquet, with lovely, defining acidity. It’s vibrant, leaving a gorgeous, vivid impression.
(Drink from 2027) – Very Good (89p) – Tasted 25/07/2022 from CASK –
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- A true vin d’émotion – a Burgundy of passion
- A Vin Vif - fresh, energetic and with a light appearance