Chateau Rollan De By Medoc

Chateau Rollan De By Medoc is a Merlot-dominant red Bordeaux from the Médoc appellation, bottled at approximately 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Ranked first in Decanter's blind tasting of 2011 Cru Bourgeois wines and awarded 92 points by Wine Enthusiast for the 2016 vintage, this estate consistently punches well above its classification.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~13.5%  |  Origin: Médoc, Bordeaux, France  |  Cru Bourgeois  |  Producer: Domaines Rollan de By (Jean Guyon)

Production & Heritage

Domaines Rollan de By is the project of Jean Guyon, a self-made proprietor who has become one of the Médoc's most innovative winemakers. The blend draws on 70% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Petit Verdot — an unusually Merlot-heavy composition for the Left Bank that yields early approachability without sacrificing structure. What truly distinguishes the winemaking is Guyon's custom-designed stainless steel fermentation tanks, built wider than they are tall (3.50 meters across, 1.50 meters high) to maximize juice contact with the grape marc during fermentation. After primary fermentation, the Cabernet Sauvignon undergoes malolactic conversion in tank while the Merlot and Petit Verdot complete theirs in French oak barrels. The wine then ages for 12 months in a blend of 90% new French oak and 10% new American oak, contributing layered spice and vanilla complexity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with an inky, deep ruby-purple intensity. Dark plum and black currant aromas emerge first, followed by pencil lead, dried herbs, cedar, and a thread of tobacco — classic Left Bank signatures accented by generous new oak.

Taste: On the palate, the wine enters bright and juicy with blackberry and plum fruit at its core. The mid-palate broadens into vanilla, baking spice, and a subtle fruit sweetness that never turns cloying. Firm but polished tannins carry the structure through to a focused, linear peak.

Finish: The finish is medium to long, marked by taut acidity, firm tannins, and a dusting of spice that lingers alongside a tobacco edge. It closes with persistent dark fruit and cedar, rewarding patience.

How to Drink Rollan De By

This is a wine that rewards decanting — pour it into a carafe 30 to 60 minutes before serving at 16–18°C to let the oak integration soften and the fruit open fully. It drinks well on its own but truly comes alive alongside food. Pair it with grilled lamb chops, where the wine's tannins cut through the fat. Braised short ribs echo its dark fruit depth. Duck confit mirrors the richness of the Merlot-driven palate.

Best For

• Bordeaux enthusiasts exploring high-quality Cru Bourgeois alternatives to Classified Growths
• Hosting a dinner party centered around red meat or charcuterie
• Gifting a wine lover who appreciates Left Bank structure without the Left Bank price tag
• Cellaring for medium-term aging of five to ten years from vintage

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Rollan De By taste like? Rollan De By delivers dark plum, blackberry, and black currant fruit layered with cedar, tobacco, and vanilla spice from 12 months in predominantly new French oak. The tannins are firm but polished, with bright acidity keeping the generous fruit focused.

How does Rollan De By compare to Chateau Greysac? Both estates are now under the ownership of Jean Guyon, but Rollan De By is considered the more concentrated and oak-driven of the two, with a higher proportion of new barrels and Guyon's signature wide-format fermentation tanks. Greysac tends to be a lighter, more immediately approachable Médoc at a lower price point.

Is Rollan De By good for cellaring? Yes — the firm tannin structure, taut acidity, and generous new oak all point to a wine that develops well over five to ten years from vintage, though it is also enjoyable young after decanting.

Where is Rollan De By made? Chateau Rollan De By is located in the Médoc appellation on Bordeaux's Left Bank in southwestern France. The estate is run by Jean Guyon under the Domaines Rollan de By umbrella.

What foods pair well with Rollan De By? Grilled or roasted lamb brings out the wine's herbal and spice notes. Braised beef or short ribs complement its dark fruit depth. Aged hard cheeses like Comté or Ossau-Iraty match its tannic grip. Duck confit mirrors the richness of the Merlot base. Charcuterie boards with cured meats and olives work well for casual service.

What sizes does Rollan De By come in? Chateau Rollan De By is most commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Rollan De By worth the price? Rollan De By positions as a premium Cru Bourgeois that routinely earns scores of 90 points and above from major critics — territory usually occupied by far more expensive Classified Growth Bordeaux. For drinkers seeking serious Left Bank quality without the prestige markup, it represents strong value in its tier.

Why Rollan De By?

Jean Guyon's custom-engineered wide-format fermentation tanks are not a marketing gimmick — they represent a genuine rethinking of extraction in Bordeaux winemaking, maximizing surface contact between juice and skins for deeper color and flavor without aggressive pumping. The results speak through critical recognition: 92 points from Wine Enthusiast, 90 points from both Wine Spectator and Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, and a first-place finish in Decanter's blind tasting of 2011 Cru Bourgeois wines. With its Merlot-forward blend aged in predominantly new French oak, Rollan De By bridges the approachability of the Right Bank with the structure and cedar-spice profile of the Left Bank. It is a wine that consistently overdelivers for its classification.