From: Burgundy, France
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Taste & Critical Acclaim: 92 points Jasper Morris
"A slighter brighter crimson purple. There is more raspberry than strawberry in the bouquet. Nuanced on the palate, some alpine strawberry now, just a little spicy note, and a beneficial bitterness at the back. Now some cherry. This is complex and deserves time. Drink from 2027-2033." (1/2024)
91 points Wine Advocate
"Roty's 2021 Gevrey-Chambertin Champs-Chenys Vieilles Vignes bursts with aromas of cherries, plums, licorice, spices and peony. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with supple tannins, lively acids and a saline finish, this vintage is especially suave. Tasting with affable eleventh-generation vigneron Pierre-Jean Roty—who took the helm at this discrete family-owned domaine following his brother's untimely passing in 2015—is an annual pleasure that I always eagerly anticipate. This year, it was the turn of the 2021s, wines that have nothing to fear from a comparison with other sunnier, drier recent years, exuding charm and perfume that will delight Burgundy purists. Roty fans will be familiar with the approach at this address: assiduously but only shallowly cultivated soils, a high proportion of old vines, minimal use of chemical treatments, destemmed grapes fermented in concrete tanks, and élevage in generous percentages of smoky new oak for 15-16 months. My sense is that today's wines are suppler than the Roty wines of yesteryear. They're less forbidding in their youth than their formidable reputation might suggest—even the grands crus boast such generosity of fruit that their rich structuring tannins are frequently concealed. But they develop just as gracefully as ever. Readers shouldn't hesitate to seek them out.(WK)" (1/2024)
91 points Vinous
"The 2021 Gevrey-Chambertin Champs-Chenys has a promising nose: brambly red fruit mixed with loam and subtle wild mint scents. This gains intensity with each swirl but maintains admirable control. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannins, perhaps tapering a little towards the finish because of the growing season, yet it will gain a bit of density with bottle age. Very fine.(NM)" (1/2024)
Burghound
"Note: from vines planted in 1934 that directly abut Charmes-Chambertin. There is a more generous though still subtle application of wood suffusing the cool, airy, fresh and pretty essence of red cherry and less earthy aromas along with a background hint of green tea character. The medium weight flavors are not as dense though they markedly finer with excellent underlying tension that carries over to the lingering and inviting if slightly lean and youthfully austere finish. Note that my rating offers the benefit of the doubt that this will flesh out with a few years of cellaring." (1/2024)
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.
