Marc Roy

History of Domaine Marc Roy

Domaine Marc Roy is a family estate in Gevrey-Chambertin, passed down from generation to generation. Marc Roy, after whom the domaine is named, was an innovative winemaker who introduced estate bottling from the very early years — a gesture that was uncommon at the time — and passed on to his children a precious peasant wisdom rooted in respect for the land. The domaine, of human scale, now extends over 3.8 hectares divided into around a dozen small plots spread across the Gevrey-Chambertin appellation, as well as a plot of Chardonnay in Marsannay.

In 2003, Alexandrine Roy, Marc's daughter and holder of a law degree followed by a BTS in viticulture and oenology, took the reins of the family estate. She represents the fourth generation on the property and quickly made her mark: reduced yields for greater concentration, careful soil work, organic farming with touches of biodynamics, and rigorous sorting in the vineyard. Her signature cuvée, simply named "Alexandrine", was created in 2005 and embodies this rise to excellence. Today, Domaine Marc Roy produces approximately 14,000 to 20,000 bottles per year and ranks among the most respected and rarest signatures of Gevrey-Chambertin.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine Marc Roy

The vineyard of Domaine Marc Roy extends over 3.8 hectares at the heart of Gevrey-Chambertin, one of the absolute jewels of the Côte de Nuits, and over half a hectare of Chardonnay at the lieu-dit Les Champs Perdrix in Marsannay. The Burgundian plots are spread over ferruginous clay-limestone soils typical of Gevrey, with a great diversity of terroirs: the La Justice cuvée, situated in the north-east of the appellation, the Clos Prieur nestled just below the Grands Crus of Mazis-Chambertin, and very old vines scattered across six climats that are brought together in the Alexandrine cuvée.

Pinot Noir occupies most of the 3.5 hectares of red varieties, with an average age of over 50 years, and certain plots exceeding 70 years. In Marsannay, the Chardonnay of Les Champs Perdrix benefits from plantings dating back to 1958 and 1989, on ideally exposed clay-limestone soil. Alexandrine Roy tends her vines "like a garden", with mechanical soil work and no chemical herbicides, in an approach very close to biodynamics. The harvests are entirely manual, with rigorous sorting carried out directly in the plot to retain only the healthiest and most concentrated berries.

Winemaking at Domaine Marc Roy

In the cellar, Alexandrine Roy applies a precise and patient winemaking approach, in the great Burgundian tradition. The grapes are 100% destemmed — a choice that prioritises purity of fruit and aromatic finesse. Fermentation takes place exclusively with indigenous yeasts, with no oenological additions whatsoever. Maceration is carried out in tank with gentle extractions, in keeping with the delicate character of Pinot Noir.

Ageing is one of the domaine's strongest hallmarks. The wines rest in oak barrels for 16 to 18 months, with a notable proportion of new barrels (up to 30 to 50% depending on the cuvée), which adds structure, depth and silkiness. Racking is carried out only once, following the lunar calendar. The wines are bottled without fining or filtration to preserve their authenticity and ageing potential. For the Marsannay blanc, the same rigour applies: 16 to 18 months of barrel ageing (of which approximately 25% new), to yield a taut, complex and mineral Chardonnay. This philosophy of patience and precision gives birth to wines that are juicy, deep, balanced and perfectly digestible.

The Cuvées of Domaine Marc Roy

Marsannay Blanc Les Champs Perdrix: the domaine's only white cuvée, from half a hectare of Chardonnay planted partly in 1958 and partly in 1989, on clay-limestone soil. Harvested by hand and aged 16 to 18 months in barrels (25% new), this Marsannay blanc captivates with its fresh and elegant nose of citrus, white flowers, hazelnut and fresh butter. The palate, ample and concentrated, finishes on a beautiful minerality and a long persistence, making it one of the finest Marsannay blancs in the appellation.

Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes: the domaine's historic cuvée, crafted from its oldest Pinot Noir vines, averaging 70 years of age. 100% destemmed, fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged 16 to 18 months in barrels (with a significant proportion of new oak), it offers an intense nose of blackcurrant, blackberry and peony, underscored by smoky and liquorice nuances. The palate, juicy and fresh, blends soft black fruits, fine tannins and elegant oak, in a well-balanced whole with a promising evolution in the cellar.

Gevrey-Chambertin La Justice: a single-plot cuvée from the eponymous climat, located in the north-east of the appellation. Acquired by Alexandrine in 2010, La Justice produced its first vintage in 2011 and very quickly established itself through its generosity. The wine stands out for its richness, finer tannins, fleshy fruit and a subtly liquorice-tinged finish. A sunny and accessible expression of Gevrey, regarded by many critics as reaching the level of a Premier Cru.

Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Prieur: a single-plot cuvée from a small clos situated just below the prestigious Grands Crus of Mazis-Chambertin and Latricières. More austere and mineral in its youth, Clos Prieur unfolds with time into great depth, a spiced chewiness, floral notes (peony, rose) and remarkable aromatic intensity. This wine for ageing displays a density and breeding uncommon for a village wine, and ranks among the finest Gevrey-Chambertin expressions from the domaine.

Gevrey-Chambertin Cuvée Alexandrine: created in 2005 to showcase the talent of Alexandrine Roy, this cuvée is a rigorous selection of millerandage grapes (naturally smaller and more concentrated berries) from six of her favourite plots. The double sorting it requires and the careful ageing bestow upon it a complexity worthy of a Grand Cru. The wine offers a magnificent nose of pot-pourri, dried leaves, black fruits and leather, a silky and savoury palate, a dense structure and preserved freshness. The rarest and most accomplished cuvée of Domaine Marc Roy.