Rue de Vergy
21220 Chambolle Musigny
Telephone: +33 3 80 62 86 37
Fax: +33 3 80 62 83 55
Website: www.roumier.com

Overview

• Total area under vine: 11.43 hectares producing 52,000 bottles on average per year
• Established in 1924 by George Roumier who farmed his own vines at Chambolle but also worked as vineyard manager for Comte Georges de Vogue
• Now managed by Christophe Roumier, the 3rd generation family winemaker

Unique Aspects

• Domaine expanded starting in 1950s and acquired Grand Cru vineyards such as Bonnes Mares
• No pesticides are used in the vineyard and to manage weeds, the land is ploughed rather than sprayed
• Combination of whole bunch and destemmed grapes used, depending on vintage and site

Jeannie’s Insights

Since Christophe Roumier took over fully from his father in 1990, the wines have become more refined, with wonderful detail and precision. Part of it may be due to his philosophy for organic and natural farming, less reliant on sprays that can kill microorganisms in the soil. The wines are always tightly wound, tense and nervous when young, but open up like a blooming rose when they have at least 5-8 years of bottle age.

While their Musigny (if you can find it) and Bonnes Mares are terrific, the domaine is most well known for its Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses (the lovers). Here, the wine’s intensity, elegance and quality makes it nearly equal to a Grand Cru. The silky texture and delicate layers of flavours of Les Amoureuses would have most people considering Musigny rather than a 1er Cru. The soil types are very similar in the two vineyards with active limestone providing finesse and silky tannins.

Roumier has only .4 ha of this 1er Cru vineyard. Les Amoureuses’ total 5.4 ha is divided among 17 owners with the largest holding of 1 ha held by Robert Groffier. While Roumier’s Les Amoureuses are on strict allocation, the more approachable village wines are beautiful too – try their Chambolle-Musigny or the Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Clos de la Bussiere. Roumier’s wines at every level are always fine with charming vibrancy in the village level and much greater intensity, virility in the 1er Cru and expect the Grand Crus to be austere and tightly wound in its youth. Roumier’s top wines require time to express themselves.

Jeannie’s Tasting Notes

2002 Georges Roumier- Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses

Fantastic aromatics with a great nose of complex floral and autumnal flavours – dried

leaves, pot pourri, rose petals. Gentle, delicate layers of flavours and amazing depth. Still youthful but very expressive, with feminine aromatics. A truly gorgeous, beautiful wine that inspires. (97)

1999 Georges Roumier- Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses

Very densely packed, complex and fuller bodied than other great vintages of Les Amoureuses. Mid palate has weight and depth with layers of flavours that are still closed and not as open as the 2002. Not ready to be approached right now – wait another few years. (95)

1967 Georges Roumier – Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru

A beautifully evolved Bonnes-Mares that has layers of delicate, ethereal flavours. Hints of dried violets and roses combine with sweet dried herbs and spices. Tannins are silky at this age with a core sweetness and intense mid palate that is impressive. Fairly long finish. (95)

Recommended Wines

• Musigny Grand Cru
• Bonnes Mares Grand Cru
• Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses
• Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Cras
• Morey-St-Denis 1er Cru Clos de la Bussiere