Domaine Roulot Monthelie Rouge, Burgundy, France 2023
While Domaine Roulot built its legendary reputation on the crystalline whites of Meursault, the domaine produces an extremely limited quantity of red wine from Monthelie—one of Burgundy's most compelling insider secrets for Pinot Noir. Representing just 1 hectare of the domaine's total plantings, this rare bottling applies Jean-Marc Roulot's signature philosophy of purity, precision, and restraint to red Burgundy. Monthelie sits directly adjacent to Volnay, sharing the same limestone bedrock and producing wines of remarkable elegance and aromatic finesse. As with the domaine's whites, there is beautiful clarity, low extraction, and a bright, chiseled character that rewards cellaring. This is mineral-driven, acid-forward Pinot Noir that reflects the Roulot house style—thoroughbred elegance over power.
- WINEMAKER: Jean-Marc Roulot, David Croix (Chief Winemaker)
- FARMING: Certified Organic (since 2013); Biodynamic practices (since 2012)
- VARIETY: 100% Pinot Noir
- TERROIR: Sourced from 0.36 hectares across two village-level lieux-dits: Les Gamets and Les Jouènes, located near the commune border between Monthelie and Auxey-Duresses. The vines average approximately 40 years of age. These parcels benefit from the same limestone-rich soils that define the great white wines of adjacent Meursault and the elegant Pinot Noir of neighboring Volnay. The cooler exposition and higher-elevation positioning contribute to the wine's natural acidity, bright fruit character, and mineral precision. The terroir produces wines with notable vibrancy and aromatic lift while maintaining solid depth and substance.
- VINIFICATION: Hand-harvested with meticulous selection. In recent vintages, the domaine has experimented with modest whole-cluster inclusion (approximately 10%) to enhance aromatic complexity and add fine-grained tannin structure. The fruit undergoes cold maceration before fermentation in traditional open-top vats with indigenous yeasts. Fermentation lasts approximately 12 days with gentle extraction techniques to preserve the wine's elegance and avoid heavy-handed tannins. Low extraction ensures the wine maintains purity and aromatic finesse rather than power.
- AGING: Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels with a small percentage of new oak (15-20% maximum), maintaining the domaine's philosophy of minimal oak influence. As with all Roulot wines, the focus remains on terroir expression rather than élevage techniques.
- TASTING NOTES: Fresh and earthy aromatics featuring bright red berries, pomegranate, red cherry, and floral notes with hints of forest floor and subtle spice. Medium-bodied with excellent vibrancy and an almost crunchy texture. The palate shows delicious red fruit character, solid depth, and mineral-driven persistence. Light and fresh in texture but not lacking substance, with a mildly rustic yet refined finale. The wine displays the characteristic Roulot hallmarks: purity, restraint, and aromatic finesse.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Roasted duck, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, coq au vin, aged Comté, charcuterie.
Domaine Roulot Monthelie Rouge, Burgundy, France 2023
While Domaine Roulot built its legendary reputation on the crystalline whites of Meursault, the domaine produces an extremely limited quantity of red wine from Monthelie—one of Burgundy's most compelling insider secrets for Pinot Noir. Representing just 1 hectare of the domaine's total plantings, this rare bottling applies Jean-Marc Roulot's signature philosophy of purity, precision, and restraint to red Burgundy. Monthelie sits directly adjacent to Volnay, sharing the same limestone bedrock and producing wines of remarkable elegance and aromatic finesse. As with the domaine's whites, there is beautiful clarity, low extraction, and a bright, chiseled character that rewards cellaring. This is mineral-driven, acid-forward Pinot Noir that reflects the Roulot house style—thoroughbred elegance over power.
- WINEMAKER: Jean-Marc Roulot, David Croix (Chief Winemaker)
- FARMING: Certified Organic (since 2013); Biodynamic practices (since 2012)
- VARIETY: 100% Pinot Noir
- TERROIR: Sourced from 0.36 hectares across two village-level lieux-dits: Les Gamets and Les Jouènes, located near the commune border between Monthelie and Auxey-Duresses. The vines average approximately 40 years of age. These parcels benefit from the same limestone-rich soils that define the great white wines of adjacent Meursault and the elegant Pinot Noir of neighboring Volnay. The cooler exposition and higher-elevation positioning contribute to the wine's natural acidity, bright fruit character, and mineral precision. The terroir produces wines with notable vibrancy and aromatic lift while maintaining solid depth and substance.
- VINIFICATION: Hand-harvested with meticulous selection. In recent vintages, the domaine has experimented with modest whole-cluster inclusion (approximately 10%) to enhance aromatic complexity and add fine-grained tannin structure. The fruit undergoes cold maceration before fermentation in traditional open-top vats with indigenous yeasts. Fermentation lasts approximately 12 days with gentle extraction techniques to preserve the wine's elegance and avoid heavy-handed tannins. Low extraction ensures the wine maintains purity and aromatic finesse rather than power.
- AGING: Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels with a small percentage of new oak (15-20% maximum), maintaining the domaine's philosophy of minimal oak influence. As with all Roulot wines, the focus remains on terroir expression rather than élevage techniques.
- TASTING NOTES: Fresh and earthy aromatics featuring bright red berries, pomegranate, red cherry, and floral notes with hints of forest floor and subtle spice. Medium-bodied with excellent vibrancy and an almost crunchy texture. The palate shows delicious red fruit character, solid depth, and mineral-driven persistence. Light and fresh in texture but not lacking substance, with a mildly rustic yet refined finale. The wine displays the characteristic Roulot hallmarks: purity, restraint, and aromatic finesse.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Roasted duck, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, coq au vin, aged Comté, charcuterie.