Prieuré Roch
Domaine Prieuré Roch is one of the most distinctive estates of the Côte de Nuits. It was founded in 1988 by Henry-Frédéric Roch, who was also co-director of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and a grandson of Henri Leroy. From its base in Nuits-Saint-Georges, the domaine gradually assembled a collection of vineyards stretching from the Côte de Beaune to some of the most celebrated sites of the Côte de Nuits. Following Roch’s death in 2018, the domaine has continued under the direction of Yannick Champ, who had worked alongside him for many years.
The vineyard holdings are centred around Nuits-Saint-Georges and Vosne-Romanée, with parcels in several important lieux-dits and Premiers Crus. Among the best-known wines are Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru Clos des Corvées, a monopole of the domaine, and Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Les Suchots. Prieuré Roch also owns vines in Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru and produces a number of distinctive village and regional cuvées. Pinot Noir dominates production, complemented by small quantities of white wine.
The domaine has long followed organic and biodynamic principles, with considerable emphasis placed on living soils, low yields and careful work in the vineyard. In the cellar, the approach is equally individual. Whole-cluster fermentation is an important part of the style, indigenous yeasts are used and extraction is generally gentle. New oak plays a relatively limited role, while sulphur additions are kept very low. The objective is to interfere as little as possible while allowing each vineyard and vintage to express its own character.
Prieuré Roch’s wines have a highly recognisable personality. They can be intensely aromatic, with red and dark fruit, florals, spice and the savoury complexity associated with whole-cluster fermentation. Texture and energy often take precedence over polish or obvious concentration, and the wines can develop considerable complexity with bottle age. Small production, important vineyard holdings and an uncompromising approach to viticulture and vinification have made Domaine Prieuré Roch one of the most individual and sought-after domaines in Bourgogne.
