Georges Roumier

The Domaine was estalished by Georges Roumier in 1924, who went on to instigate the practice of domaine bottling his family’s wines in 1945. Today the Domaine has been expanded to 11.8 hectares over 9 appellations and is run by Georges Roumier’s Grandson, Christophe. The wines are made as naturally as possible, vines are hand-tended, a large proportion of fermentations are whole bunch (up to 50%), the percentages varying a little depending on cuvée and vintage, and ageing is in barriques for as long as possible, usually 16 to 18 months, to allow for bottling without filtration. 15-25% new oak is used for the village appellations whilst 40-50% is used for the 1ers and Grand Crus. The result is intense, lively, red Burgundy that demand time and patience.

2017 Vintage

A “normal” production for once - the first one in years! Harvest started on the 8th of September and much like elsewhere on the Côte grapes were ripe and healthy, there was little or no selection needed. Aside from the more regular quantities yielded, Christophe Roumier is delighted with the quality of the vintage “These 2017s are elegant and supple but it is also a “digest” vintage. The fresh fruitiness reminds me of 2014 but these 17s have more minerality.” Some typically lively, crisp and crunchy Roumier wines. As usual Christophe used a lot of whole bunches for fermentation, up to 60% for Amoureuses, and more so than ever does this seem to have invisibly integrated into the wines to give them lift and tension.

2018 Vintage

A very successful year here, as far as we are concerned, and "a lovely vintage" according to Roumier's winemaker, in quantities he described as "une bonne moyenne!" - above average yields. For Roumier the key to the vintage was to wait for phenolic ripeness and not pick based on sugar levels. Harvest was pushed back a little to ensure grapes were fully ripe, but eventually commenced on the 5th September. Apart from the Bourgogne the wines were fermented with between 15% and 60% whole bunches as usual. To retain freshness, they took the decision to not rack the wines after malolactic fermentation and kept the wines in barrel, untouched, throughout autumn. Roumier have captured the beauty and sunshine of the vintage incredibly well, without allowing 2018's warmth to show too much. The wines have the structure of 2015 with less acidity, and although a softer vintage the wines taste fresh.

2019 Vintage

The Domaine was established by Georges Roumier in 1924, who went on to instigate the practice of domaine bottling his family’s wines in 1945. Today the Domaine has been expanded to 11.8 hectares over 9 appellations and is run by Georges Roumier’s grandson, Christophe. The wines are made as naturally as possible, vines are hand-tended, a large proportion of fermentations are whole bunch (up to 50%), the percentages varying a little depending on cuvée and vintage, and ageing is in barriques for as long as possible, usually 16–18 months, to allow for bottling without filtration. 15–25% new oak is used for the village appellations whilst 40–50% is used for the Premiers and Grand Crus. The result is intense, lively, red Burgundy that demand time and patience.

2021 Vintage

Christophe Roumier is an exceptionally down to earth vigneron and winemaker, entirely unfazed by the rapturous reception his wines are met with. “We make the vintages we are given” he shrugged when we asked how much of a challenge the growing season was. Christophe has seen it all before. Finding the tiny volumes to have had no effect on the overall quality of the vintage, Christophe was very pleased with his 2021s, “It’s a vintage with wines which are delicate and aesthetic, without the concentration of mass of the previous six vintages – but they have finesse, and I like that a lot”. Winemaking followed the normal path, Christophe recounting very clean fruit, which permitted him to employ usual proportions of whole bunch during fermentation. The wines will enjoy a slightly shorter élevage than normal “just to adapt to the vintage” but otherwise, these are wines that faithfully reflect the delicacy and finesse of the vintage. Fans of the domaine will not be disappointed.

2022 Vintage

2022 reminds Christophe Roumier of the 2017s but with a bit more force. “They have the prettiness of 2017, but with a bit more power. I’m happy, the vintage gives me what I want from the vineyards; the wines really respect their origins. It was a year with lots of hot and dry weather yet the wines simply aren’t solaire in style - they have more delicacy than that.” These are, as you might imagine, gorgeous wines in 2022. Intense, complex and weightless at the top end, sumptuous yet nimble and fresh in the village and 1er Cru wines – each and every one profound in its own way.

2023 Vintage

Harvest for the Roumier team started on the 13th September and lasted for six days. Numerous green harvests throughout the season allowed them to manage yields, and yet this was still the biggest harvest Christophe Roumier can remember. Whole bunch usage always fluctuates per cuvée, hovering between the 50-80% mark, and gives a sense of florality and energy to the natural ripeness of Christophe’s wines.