In 1989, Château Rollan de By was purchased by Jean Guyon, who’s ambition was to create an outstanding representation of a great northern Médoc red. He harnessed the region's vast potential and increased the standing of this underestimated appellation. Wine lovers around the world can now discover the riches of this chalky and clay-based terroir.

Château Rollan de By uses a classic Médoc cepage of 30 year old vines: 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, and 10% Petit Verdot. The Petit Verdot grapes receive a green harvest to severely limit their yields. The other grapes are hand-harvest at maximum ripeness and collected in small crates to undergo strict sorting at the winery. After de-stemming, they are pressed. Everything is done to protect the berries until they reach the vat. Vinification occurs in stainless steel vats, where an elaborate temperature control system allows the wine to attain perfect extraction. This process lasts three weeks. The wine is stirred on the lees in barrels for 3 months and then spends a year in new French oak, before it is bottled.

Rich, ripe black fruits and bramble notes are readily apparent on the nose and are backed by a suggestion of lead pencil shavings and a hint of forest floor. The palate is packed with deep plum and black cherry fruit flavors that are effortlessly carried by polished and sleekly contoured tannins that linger on the silky finish. This full-flavored, rich red is ideal with a medium-rare Porterhouse, braised lamb shoulder, seasoned with fresh rosemary, roasted chicken, or hearty vegetarian stew.

—Donald

“The 2003 Rollan de By exhibits a dense ruby/purple color along with fat, fleshy fruit flavors, good delineation, soft tannin, low acidity, and a long, heady finish. A sleeper of the vintage, it should drink well for a decade.” —WA 88-90