From: Burgundy, France
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Taste & Critical Acclaim: 90 points Wine Advocate
"Offering up aromas of cherries, plums, licorice and spices, Roty's 2021 Marsannay Les Ouzeloy is medium to full-bodied, open-knit and expressive, with a succulent core of fruit and a supple, giving profile. 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)
Burghound
"Note: from 80+ year old vines. A deft application of wood frames equally cool, elegant and ripe aromas of black raspberry liqueur along with earth nuances. The sleek, delicious and intense medium-bodied flavors possess a seductive texture where the lingering bitter pit fruit-inflected finish is finer but less mineral-driven while offering just a bit more overall depth." (1/2024)
Jasper Morris
"A denser purple, still very youthful. This has stayed much tighter, there is a bit of orange peel as well, while the fruit does not quite fill the mouth entirely, being in competition with the barrel toast. Drink from 2026-2031." (1/2024)
Vinous
"The 2021 Marsannay Les Ouzeloy is the one cuvée where I have a question mark over the aromatics, which seemed to show a touch of brettanomyces - a tad feral compared to Roty's other cuvées. That said, it finds more clarity as it opens in the glass. The palate is much better with crunchy, dark, plummy fruit, a citric thread of acidity, and a composed, sorbet-fresh finish with fresh fig hints. After a couple of minutes, I feel that the aromatics got their act together, and it might have just been a bit of "funk." (NM)" (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.