Winemaker Notes
Domaine Roux is situated in the Saint Aubin village of the Côte de Beaune. This historic property maintains one of the most incredible libraries of back vintage Burgundy in magnums. For many generations, the Roux Family have supplied their wines to top-notch restaurants and boutique wine shops throughout France. No one in Burgundy has such an impressive collection of verticals from such a diverse array of villages, single vineyards and Premier Cru wines.
Founded in 1885, Domaine Roux is currently operated by the 4th and 5th generation of the Roux family. With vineyard holdings throughout the Côte d'Or, the majority of the vines are planted on eastern and southern facing slopes and bene?t from ideal exposures. All grapes are harvested by hand and at optimal ripeness. With steadfast attention to detail, Domaine Roux combines valuable traditions with the most advanced technology to produce a vast portfolio of terroir-driven, varietally correct expressions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir renowned for superior quality. Roux Pere & Fils has evolved into one of the most important producers in Cote d’Or (Burgundy). Nested in the heart of Burgundy with 160 acres of vines, the vineyards cover the key villages. Tradition, know-how and family spirit describe this winery best, with 9 Roux members involved in the 100% family business today.
This modern and forward-looking company sees its wines exported extensively to major wine markets throughout the world. Today, Domaine Roux is one of major land-holders in Burgundy, putting this label in a unique position to control production and quality from the very beginning of the production cycle. The vineyards of Domaine Roux include many of the region’s most respected villages including holding in St-Aubin, Chassagne-Montrachet, Santenay, Meursault, Vougeot, Gevrey-Chambertin, etc.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Crisp, balanced and delicately floral, Chardonnays from the Macon Villages are often made in the unoaked style and offer a magnificent sampling of what white Burgundy has to offer—without years of waiting and high dollar price tags.
Within the greater Mâconnais, the Macon Villages wines are those within a few defined and optimally situated villages, either noted by the name Mâcon-Villages or as Mâcon followed by the name of the particular village, for example Viré, Lugny, Azé, Bray or Burgy.
Commonly vinified in stainless steel or glass-lined concrete vats, these are mostly intended for consumption within a year or two of the vintage, though a few serious Mâconnais producers have turned their focus to smaller yields and barrel fermentation and maturation. Regardless, you can count on Macon Villages whites to be fresh and fruity with citrus and melon flavors, and aromas of white roses, honeysuckle, lemon-grass or fennel.
This is a great region to explore if you already like California, Australian or Chilean Chardonnay.