Jean Marc Roulot
Summary
Jean-Marc Roulot operates his family's historic 12-hectare estate in Meursault, crafting benchmark Chardonnay from premier cru and village-level parcels with limestone-clay soils that showcase the region's distinct terroirs. His winemaking emphasizes minimal intervention with precise harvest timing, indigenous yeast fermentations, judicious oak use, and extended aging, resulting in wines of extraordinary precision, mineral intensity, and vibrant energy that define contemporary Meursault.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Roulot traces its roots to the late 19th century when the Roulot family established their viticultural presence in Meursault. The domaine gained particular recognition under Guy Roulot, who directed operations from the 1950s until his unexpected death in 1982. Following this loss, the estate was managed by Guy's widow until their son Jean-Marc Roulot assumed full control in 1989, after completing his studies and gaining experience elsewhere.
Jean-Marc Roulot represents the third generation to lead the family domaine. His background includes formal training at the Lycée Viticole in Beaune, complemented by his unique parallel career as a professional actor in French cinema and theater. This dual professional life has not diminished his focus on winemaking; rather, it reflects the multifaceted approach he brings to his craft. Under his direction, Domaine Roulot has maintained its position as a reference point for Meursault wines, building upon the foundation established by his father while implementing his own refinements to vineyard management and cellar practices.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Roulot encompasses approximately 12 hectares of vineyards, predominantly situated within the Meursault appellation. The holdings include parcels in several premier cru sites such as Meursault Perrières, Meursault Charmes, and Meursault Poruzots, along with highly regarded village-level plots including Luchets, Tillets, Meix Chavaux, and Vireuils. Beyond Meursault, the domaine also cultivates small parcels in Monthélie and Auxey-Duresses.
The vineyards feature the classic limestone-clay soils of the Côte de Beaune, with variations in the calcium carbonate content and subsoil structure contributing to the distinctive character of each site. Chardonnay dominates the plantings, though the domaine also produces limited quantities of Aligoté and Pinot Noir. The vine age varies across the holdings, with some parcels containing vines over 50 years old. Jean-Marc's approach to viticulture emphasizes meticulous canopy management and yield control to ensure optimal ripeness while preserving acidity—a balance that defines the house style.
The domaine's wines are distinguished by their site-specific bottlings, particularly the series of Meursault lieu-dits that showcase the village's diverse terroirs. Each cuvée reflects its vineyard origin through subtle variations in structure, aromatic profile, and aging potential, with the premier crus offering greater concentration and complexity while maintaining the precision that characterizes all Roulot wines.
Philosophy & Practice
Jean-Marc Roulot's winemaking philosophy centers on transparent expression of terroir through minimal intervention. In the vineyards, this translates to careful management practices that promote vine health and balanced yields. Harvest timing is critical to his approach, with grapes picked at the precise moment when sugar ripeness, phenolic development, and acidity converge at their optimal point.
In the cellar, Roulot employs a methodical process beginning with gentle pressing of whole clusters using a pneumatic press. Juice settling occurs overnight before transfer to barrels for fermentation with indigenous yeasts. The domaine utilizes French oak barrels for aging, with new oak kept to a moderate percentage (typically 10-20%) to avoid overwhelming the wine's intrinsic character. The wines remain on their lees for 11-18 months, depending on the cuvée and vintage conditions, with occasional bâtonnage (lees stirring) applied judiciously rather than routinely.
A hallmark of Roulot's technique is his preference for extended aging in neutral vessels before bottling, allowing the wines to develop integration and stability. This patience in the cellar contributes to the distinctive mineral tension and precision that define his wines. The final bottling occurs without fining and with minimal filtration only when necessary.
Jean-Marc's approach represents a balance between respecting traditional Burgundian methods and implementing refinements based on careful observation and experience. This methodology produces wines characterized by their clarity, purity of fruit, and pronounced mineral expression—qualities that reflect both the specific terroirs of Meursault and the deliberate hand guiding their creation.