From: Burgundy, France
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Taste & Critical Acclaim: 91 points John Gilman
“To my palate, the Ouzeloy bottling is always one of the most refined of the fine lineup chez Roty and this is again the case in 2020. The wine offers up an aromatic constellation of cassis, black cherries, smoked meats, dark soil tones, a touch of chocolate and cedary oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and quite svelte for a 2020 red, with a lovely core of black fruit, fine soil signature, buried tannins and a long, complex and nicely balanced finish. Though this has a quite polished profile, it is also a properly structured wine and I would not be tempted to open a bottle until it has had a good decade in the cellar.” (12/2022)
91 points Wine Advocate
“The 2020 Marsannay Les Ouzeloy is showing very well, bursting with notes of dark berries and plums mingled with licorice and spices. Medium to full-bodied, layered and fleshy, with good concentration and powdery structuring tannins, it's built for the cellar. (WK) 91+” (1/2023)
Vinous
“The 2020 Marsannay Les Ouzeloy has a tight-knit nose with blueberry and boysenberry fruit that retain fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet, figgy entry, perhaps quite Tuscan in style with good length on the finish. Fine. (NM)” (11/2022)
About: In the hallowed vineyards of Gevrey-Chambertin, Domaine Joseph Roty stands as evidence of the rich tradition and uncompromising dedication to the art of winemaking. This cherished domaine is home to one of Burgundy's largest concentrations of old vines, with an average vine age of about 65 years, some being over 120 years old, providing their resulting wines with remarkable structure and complexity.
Domaine Joseph Roty is steeped in history, bearing the weight of a winemaking lineage that dates back to the reign of Louis XIV. Since 1710, the Roty family has crafted wines of distinction, with current winemaker Pierre-Jean Roty representing the 11th generation. The Roty family has an unwavering commitment to the land they have owned and farmed since 1817, controlling about 15 hectares of vines.
The distinctive winemaking techniques used at the domaine have become the hallmark of their unique style. Late picking of the vines is a tradition, further concentrating yields, completely de-stemming their grapes coupled with fermentation below 30 degrees and a cuvaison that spans three weeks. The result? Wines that develop compelling aromatics, the hallmark Pinot Noir flavors of black cherry and stone fruit, and an enduring complexity courtesy of the old vine fruit.
Joseph Roty's approach is far from contemporary trends in winemaking, everything is destemmed & new oak usage is relatively high; around 50% on the village wines, 60-70% on the Lieux-Dit, and 100% on the Grand Cru. The winemaking process is deliberate, focusing on producing wines made to age, often requiring years to reveal their intricate layers of flavor fully.
Today, Domaine Joseph Roty boasts a fervent cult following, renowned not just for the longevity of the winemaking family but, more importantly, for the exquisite Burgundy wines they produce. In an era of constant change, the enduring words of Madame Roty ring actual - "Nothing changes." This consistency and respect for tradition remain the underpinnings of Domaine Joseph Roty, standing firm amidst the ever-evolving world of wine.
Bill Nanson - Burgundy Report: "A more vertical nose, seemingly with some minerality to support. Broad, fluid, mobile wine – framed with a modest accent of dryness from the tannin but without any grain. Depth of flavour here – really delicious and showing much more impressively than the previous today. The finish is broad and fresh enough to enquire if you’d like to take another glass – excellent wine!" (01/2023)