From: Burgundy, France
Varietal: Pinot Noir

Taste & Critical Acclaim: 90 points John Gilman
“The domaine’s 2020 Champs Saint Etienne is a tad less overtly ripe in personality than the straight Marsannay, with more refinement on both the nose and palate. The lovely bouquet offers up scents of black raspberries, black cherries, grilled meats, dark soil tones, a touch of cedar and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, complex and deep at the core, with very good soil undertow, ripe tannins and a long, well-balanced and classy finish. Fine juice in the making.” (12/2022)

Jasper Morris
“Another extra deep colour. A touch livelier on the nose, very dark raspberry but a bit fresher and shows more fruit through to the end of the palate with less brutal tannins than the straight Marsannay.” (12/2022)

Wine Advocate
“The 2020 Marsannay Champs Saint Etienne exhibits aromas of sweet cherries, licorice and raspberries, followed by a medium to full-bodied, supple and velvety palate, concluding with a gently oak-inflected finish. This will reward a few years' bottle age. (WK)” (1/2023)

Bill Nanson Burgundy Report: "One of the lieu-dits with the oldest history, nuns replanting in the 1600s – just like Chambertin. Not a monopole – there’s one other producer but Roty is currently the only one with the climat name on a label. Less width, here the nose a little rounder and less expressive despite its perfume. A little smoky, spicy oak is visible in these flavours. Certainly, a more serious wine today but the finish opens out impressively…"(01/2023)

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.