During the 2017 en Primeur week, Hong Kong based wine merchant, Pearl of Burgundy PoB, organized a series of dinners with wine makers present. The Roulot/Fourrier dinner was one of the highlights. All wines were served from Magnum and showed really well. I am not a big white wine drinker, so my Roulot comments are more the one of an student than a expert. Obviously, his whites have a strong following and prices reflect it. I found them particularly nice with food as the house style seems to be one of lightness, freshness and minerality. The Fourrier reds, which I am already very familiar with, were really grand, Burgundy at its best. From bottom to top, he has velvety and fragrant wines that charm you from the first sip. Do not hesitate to buy them. The Goulots/Cherbaudes/Combe Moines but also the Village VV are all stellar from my experience and do not break the bank like the CSJ and Griotte. Jean-Marie explained during the dinner that he modified his destemmer so that he can keep the berries unharmed and do intra-cellular fermentation without having to do whole clusters.
Roulot Tasting Notes
2016 Jean-Marc Roulot Meursault 1er Cru Les Genevrières, 94 Points
Nose of citrus, minerals, flowers and crushed stones. Lovely purity and freshness here.
2014 Jean-Marc Roulot Corton-Charlemagne, 94 Points
Very light on the palate, almost no oak and creaminess detectable, pure crisp, almost Chablis style of freshness.
2011 Domaine Roulot Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrières, 96 Points
Very mineralic and racy, citrus, passion fruit, pear, apples and some flowers. A very classy Perrieres for the purist. Given how complex 2004 was, I would give this some more time to fully unfold its aromatic potential.
2007 Domaine Roulot Meursault 1er Cru Charmes, 96 Points
Much riper and creamier than the 2011 Perrieres next to it but equally impressive as it also has a flinty, mineralic side to it and great freshness. Great Chard that pleases the purist as well as the lovers of a richer style.
2004 Domaine Roulot Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrières, 97 Points
Lots of gun flint, smoke, citrus, crushed stones. Deep and complex, racy acidity. This was the best white in the line up.
Fourrier Tasting Notes
2014 Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos St. Jacques Vieille Vigne, 96 Points
Lots of bright red cherry, touch of spices. Good mid palate, elegant and silky. A really great wine that charms you from the first sip. PS: Had this wine again from bottle a few months later at another event and it confirmed this terrific showing,
2013 Jean-Marie Fourrier Latricières-Chambertin Vieille Vigne, 97 Points
Showed even better than the great 2014 Clos St.Jacques next to it. Lots of flowers, violets, a nose to die for. On the palate sappy and fresh like so many 2013 with polished tannins. An awesome wine. If you find these in Magnum go for it before prices of the non-domaine Fourriers Grand Cru rise to the Griotte level.
2009 Domaine Fourrier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Sentiers Vieille Vigne, 95 Points
2010 Domaine Fourrier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Sentiers Vieille Vigne, 96 Points
A generous guest brought a 2009 Sentiers to compare it to the 2010 Sentiers which was in the official line up. What a great gesture! It was interesting to compare the two. The 2009 showed the sunny vintage with dried fruit raspberries and sweet spices, the palate was richer but stayd fresh. Ready to drink now (95pt). The 2010 was a more reserved wine with musk, game, some barnyard and savory notes. I suggest to keep this for 3 more years before opening. Hard to say which one was better. I had a slight preference for the 2010 (96pt) but we are splitting hair at this level of quality.
2009 Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos St. Jacques Vieille Vigne, 97 Points
This showed even better than a bottle I had a few years ago. Very fragrant nose with sweet spices, cherry, raspberry but also musk, toast and a touch of barnyard. The palate is clean and fresh despite the sunny vintage. Wonderful. 97+
2009 Domaine Fourrier Griotte-Chambertin Vieille Vigne, 99 Points
Wow, this wine really had it all. A nose to die for with cinnamon, red and dark cherry, earthy elements and some game. Additional structure to the CSJ provides a serious backbone. Very pure and clean red fruit finish. A wine to die for. Unfortunately the market price reflects it. WOTN. 99-100
Author: Christian Raubach, WSET III, FWS, WSG Champagne Master
January 2019