Visiting Domaine Marc Roy is always a pleasure. Alexandrine Roy knows what she is doing, and she knows how to make and sell her wines: through quality, hedonism, joyfulness and charm.
Some history of the Marc Roy estate
Alexandrine is the fourth generation at the domaine. She is runs it alongside her father, Marc, who is still active in the vineyards.
The Roys may only produce village wines, but nevertheless, this is one of my favourite estates in Burgundy. They show that even serious collectors can find great pleasure from a village-level wine.
Alexandrine made her debut as the chief winemaker with the 2003 vintage. Over the years, she has refined her wines into some of the most vibrant, delicate, Gevrey village wines made today. I was blown away the first time I tasted her wines, and my tasting each year subsequently confirms my passion for them.
Alexandrine makes four Gevrey village reds and a Marsannay blanc. All of them magnificent in their own way; they are pure, airy, and intense, but still quite light-footed and filigreed for the appellation.
More about Domaine Marc Roy:
- Visit to Domaine Marc Roy – Tasting the 2023 Vintage October 20, 2024
- Visit to Domaine Marc Roy – Tasting the 2022 Vintage July 22, 2023
- Visit to Domaine Marc Roy – Tasting the 2021 Vintage July 29, 2022
- Visit to Domaine Marc Roy – tasting the 2020 vintage July 29, 2021
- Visit to Domaine Marc Roy – tasting the 2019 vintage July 29, 2020
- Bourgogne Day 6 – Gevrey delights July 12, 2020
- Visit Domaine Marc Roy – tasting of the 2018 vintage June 6, 2019
- Visit Domaine Marc Roy – tasting of the 2017 vintage June 13, 2018
Tasting the Marc Roy 2023s
A new vintage and a new expression of the lovely pinots from Alexandrine Roy. The 2023 appeal to me with their freshness and energy. As always, this manifests itself in different ways in the red cuvées.
I prefer the 2023 to the 2022. Perhaps better is not the word, but they have a lot of freshness and backbone– the latter of which is needed after the 2024 harvest.
There are some surprises in the 2023 lineup, but these remain some of my drinking favourites; meaning these are wines that I drink for joy and pleasure. A lovely complexity is the icing on the cake.
To the notes … tasting on Friday October 18th, 2024
Domaine Marc Roy Marsannay Blanc 2023
The Marsannay Les Champs Perdrix Blanc is located at the southern end of Couchey at the top of the slope. This location ensures fine acidity that provides a lovely vividness in the 2023. It has lovely balance, with generosity under good control. Alexandrine’s whites can be drunk young or with some age – and can actually support quite a healthy dish.
(Drink from 2024) – Very Good (88p) – Tasted 17/07/2023 from CASK – 
Domaine Marc Roy Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2023
The Gevrey Vieilles Vignes is a lively girl. The 80-year-old vines give a wine that is forward with a generous feel – but it is also lively and vivid like a feisty 21-year-old. It’s perfectly balanced, but without the intensity of the 2019s. Love the energetic tone in this wine as it seduces you with its effortless charm and liveliness.
(Drink from 2029) – Very Good (89p) – 
Domaine Marc Roy Gevrey-Chambertin La Justice 2023
The La Justice vineyard is located just behind the estate in the large alluvial fan from the Combe de Lavaux. This is a gracious wine with fine and ripe tannins. It’s quite delicate but deep. Love this one with the delightful millerandage character, and I adore the saline note and the hedonistic tones and mineral stance from the alluvial fan. Give me Justice!
(Drink from 2030) – Very Good+ (90p) –
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- A true vin d’émotion – a Burgundy of passion
- A Vin Vif - fresh, energetic and with a light appearance