'Our knowledge of the terroir is like building blocks, each year we build on what we learnt the year before...'
In a room filled with sommeliers from some of the country’s most celebrated restaurants, Antonio Quari of Domaine Prieuré Roch greeted us with remarkable warmth, charm and quiet charisma. What followed was an afternoon immersed in the soul of Burgundy; it was an exploration of the 2023 vintage, rare treasures from 2017 and the extraordinary transparency, depth and emotion that define the wines of this iconic domaine.
Having worked at Domaine Prieuré Roch for more than seventeen years, Quari possesses an exceptional understanding of both the estate and its prestigious terroirs. Reflecting on the 2023 vintage, he explained that while the growing season was undeniably warm, nature rewarded the domaine with wines of ripeness, harmony and balance. Cultivated with meticulous care and vinified using whole-bunch fermentation, the wines are unfiltered, and they are a deeply expressive interpretation of Burgundian terroir.
A MASTERCLASS WITH ANTONIO QUARI
HEAD WINEMAKER AT DOMAINE PRIEURÉ ROCH
Tasting Report
2023, Domaine Prieure Roch, Vin de France Rouge (Ladoix)
Instantly approachable, Domaine Prieuré Roch’s Vin de France far surpasses the modesty of its classification. Produced from fruit selected during the first sorting of the Ladoix Les Clos vineyard, the grapes undergo a short maceration of four to six days before crushing begins. Deep ruby in colour, the wine reveals velvety tannins and an expressive bouquet that slowly unfurls in the glass: vanilla, spice, cinnamon, wild blueberries and ripe blackberries. The palate is supple yet energetic, with a lingering finish that captivates long after the final sip.
2023, Domaine Prieure Roch, Savigny-lès-Beaune Dessus Les Gollardes Rouge
Sourced from 1.8 hectares at the crest of the hillside, where the vines are rooted in chalk-rich soils, this is a profoundly expressive interpretation of Savigny-lès-Beaune. Deep ruby in colour, the wine immediately bursts from the glass with intense aromatics and striking concentration. Minimal use of new oak allows the purity of the fruit and terroir to shine through. Structured by firm, chewy tannins, this is a wine with both depth and serious ageing potential.
2023, Domaine Prieure Roch, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru Vieilles Vignes
A blend of three distinct Premier Cru terroirs, this cuvée is crafted from some of the domaine’s finest fruit. Ruby at its core, fading gently to luminous amber at the rim, the wine offers layered aromas of blackberry compote, worn leather and sweet tobacco. Sensual, complex and deeply compelling, it is immensely pleasurable in its youth, whilst simultaneously hinting at the hidden complexities that will emerge with further bottle age.
2017, Domaine Prieure Roch, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru Clos des Corvees
At first glance, the wine displays a beautifully evolved, brick-ruby hue, immediately alluring to lovers of mature Burgundy. The nose is complex, revealing dried rose petals, forest floor, truffle and delicate spice. The palate possesses extraordinary finesse and quiet power, seamlessly balancing tertiary character with remarkable freshness. A profoundly elegant expression of aged Nuits-Saint-Georges, with distinctive salinity on the palate.
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MORE ABOUT THE DOMAINE
DOMAINE PRIEURE ROCH - THE HISTORY
In 1988, when Domaine de la Romanée-Conti offered parcels in Vosne-Romanée for sale, the late Henry-Frédéric Roch—then co-director of DRC—purchased them himself, marking the birth of Domaine Prieuré Roch.
Inspired by his grandfather Henri Leroy—legendary founder of Maison Leroy—Roch dedicated himself to crafting the purest expressions of Pinot Noir from Burgundy's finest terroirs. His avant-garde philosophy of minimal intervention is a testament to the respect for nature, preserving the unadulterated voice of the vines.
At "DPR," viticulture is strictly organic, working exclusively with old vines (30-100 years old). Harvests occur as late as possible in multiple passes to ensure perfect ripeness and grape health. The cellar follows natural principles: whole-bunch fermentation, foot-treading, no fining or filtration, and minimal sulphur. The results are wines of extraordinary aromatic complexity and energy, with vibrant acidity and layered fruit — delicious young but built for decades of ageing. Stylistically unique and of outstanding quality, they are true to their exceptional terroirs.
A rare distinction in Burgundy, the domaine owns three prestigious monopoles: Clos des Corvées (5ha Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru), Clos des Varoilles (6ha Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru), and the jewel-like Clos Goillotte (0.55ha Vosne-Romanée) — once the private vineyard of the Prince de Conti.
With each vintage, Domaine Prieuré Roch strengthens its reputation as Burgundy's most authentic voice — ever-evolving with nature's rhythm. Today, winemaker Antonio Quari (trained under Roch and Yannick Champ) continues elevating quality while respecting the domaine's philosophy.
These are wines that speak directly to the soul, transporting us through time — a living embodiment of what the Romans called "vinum."
