Marc Roy Gevrey-Chambertin Cuvee Alexandrine

The Cuvee Alexandrine was created in 2005 as a showcase of Alexandrine Roy’s talent. It’s made with Pinot Noir grapes from Gevrey-Chambertin in Burgundy. These grapes are “millerandées” grapes, which are naturally smaller and more concentrated. They are meticulously selected from six of Alexandrine’s favorite vineyard plots, and are completely destemmed and crushed, then transferred to stainless steel tanks. They are aged for 12 months in 70% new French oak barrels.

This red wine is counted among the top one percent of wines in the world, with 92 points on James Suckling, and an ABV of 13%. It has aromas of plum, spice, and fresh earth, with woody hints. It is intense and outstanding on the palate, succulent, with notes of ripe red cherry, and a pastry-like finish.

Pair your Marc Roy Gevrey-Chambertin Cuvee Alexandrine with ripe cheeses like Epoisses, and cured meats. It’s great with beef dishes—steak, braised beef, or beef bourguignon. It’s also wonderful with roast lamb, roast duck, or roast chicken. If you’d like to enjoy it with dessert, it’s wonderful with chocolate-covered strawberries, chocolate mousse, or squares of dark degustation chocolates.

Alexandrine Roy is a name to watch out for. She is the fourth generation Roy to head the estate, taking over from her father, the eponymous Marc Roy. The estate itself was founded by her great-grandfather, with just a few parcels of vines in Gevrey-Chambertin in Burgundy.

But it is Alexandrine on which the spotlight shines presently. The face of the “New Burgundy,” she is the region’s fastest and brightest rising star, with fans and critics alike praising her wines. And it is all thanks to her immense drive and patience. She is a true farmer, maintaining only a small domaine of four hectares. She treats this like her personal garden, trekking along the vines, keeping them healthy, ploughing the soils, harvesting grapes herself, and keeping a close eye to each step of the process. She is nothing if not hands-on, and it shows brilliantly in her wines. She allows the vines to fully express themselves, showing off the incredible depth in their flavors. Though her wines come from “village” sites, a taste will have you thinking they come from premier cru or grand cru vineyards. But no, they come from the small Domaine Marc Roy, lovingly and passionately crafted by Alexandrine.

Store unopened red wines in a cool, dry, and dark place safe from constant vibration. Keep your bottle horizontal in a wine rack or cellar to retain the moistness of the cork. The ideal temperature for storage is between 16 to 18°C. Once opened, a bottle will be good for 3 to 5 days standing upright in the refrigerator.