Disclaimer: I’m at the tail end of the annual bout of flu that goes around the office, so take anything I write here with a grain of salt…First off: It looks like Sebastien Roux isn’t actually a Burgundy producer, but rather a négociant label used by Trader Joe’s here in the USA. [This entry was updated on Feb. 10, 2008 to correct my mistake. My apologies to M. Roux and his family – they are in fact a family-owned winery that’s been making wine since 1885. Please refer to his comment below for a complete explanation…]There’s a bit of sweet tobacco leaf on the nose here, almost exactly like Red Man chewing tobacco, and it’s pleasant enough. There’s also kind of a high-pitch neon electric cherry vibrating across the surface, and that’s not too bad, either. There’s also a sort of tomato leaf note here, a sweet greenness, that’s appealing as well; this is all balanced by a sort of low-key spice box approach, something like Dutch sausage (think cloves). In the mouth, OMG TANNIN!!!1!11! After some time in the glass, though, the tannins calm themselves down nicely, so what you get is a moderate bodied, smooth drink that ends on a slightly clumsy note of tannin and oh so French minerality. It’s all very, very French and a welcome change from the ubiquitous California pinot noir found in these parts.At this price, though… well, I suppose it’s appropriately priced. Not terrific value, but not a rip-off either. I suppose that’s the best one can expect to do in these post-Sideways times.Sebastien Roux [Domaine Roux Pére et Fils]Price: US $19.99Closure: CorkDate tasted: February 2008
Dear Chris,
Bonjour.
I have read your notes regarding my Volnay Village 2005. Thank you for trying this appellation. I wanted to let you know that I am a real personn, and not just “a brand”, and that my family and I produce wines since 1885. My brother and I are the 5th generations of wine-makers. Yes, Trader Joes uses sometimes Private label, because they like to propose “unique” product to their clients, with the best possible ratio quality-price. May be you know our main brand “Domaine Roux Père & Fils”, distributed in 29 states in the USA, but in restaurants only and independant Retailers?
Anyway, I appreciate your quite positive comments regarding our Volnay. I think the most important difference the old wine world (France, Italia, etc.) has compared the new wine world (Australia, California, etc.) is the expression of the fruit, this the result of the freshness, caracterized by our climate mainly.
I appreciate your comments because I know it is quite hard for a lot of people to understand the style of a french pinot noir. The pinot noir in burgundy is a very “sensible” grape-variety, and we need to be very patients and to bring a strong care everyday in order to check that the maturation goes well. The Pinot Noir is the most delicate grape I know, most than Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet-sauvignon, etc.
A good pinot noir must have a long and delicate finish, and more you let it in your mouth and more it will changed with plenty of fine flavours.
Anyway, I think the best should be that you come in our cellars if you come in France, and we will have time to discuss about Pinot Noir through a barrel tastings of the 47 appellations we own and produce?
Finally, about Trader joes, people inside this company are real “simple, nature” and great. We started with them 3 years ago in a time where wine biz was not so easy, and it was a great help for our family. I spent 4 months of my life, every year, on the US market, because I like my job and I like your country, for people, for the wines, and for business (of course…).
I love west coast a lot. If you let me know in what town you live, I would be happy to meet you and to enjoyed wines.
My family owns also estates in the Languedoc (south of france)and I recommend to you to try our Syrah-Merlot SAINTE-CROIX, easy to drink, fresh fruits again, and the tannins are very well integrated to the fruits. And as you can imagine, you will find it at Trader Joes!! I don’t know the price, but I think it is $3.99 or $4.99.
My Best regards,
Sebastien
Dear Sebastien,
As we say here in California, “whoops!” Please accept my apologies for mistaking your family owned company for a fake French-sounding brand name concocted by the German owners of Trader Joe’s. I’m delighted to read that there is in fact a Sebastien Roux and that he not only produces excellent wines, but that he’s also friendly and patient with bumbling Americans.
I look forward to trying more of your wine – I believe they had a 2006 Pommard (?) as well as a 2004 SR Burgundy as well at the shop (I forget which wines exactly those were). I’ll keep an eye out for the Sainte-Croix as well.
Thanks as well for your generous invitation – I’ll be in Paris this September but probably won’t have time to make it out of the city, alas – and I assume you’ll be harvesting as well, so the last thing you need is an American soi-disant wine blogger taking up your time. 🙂
Should you ever find yourself in San Diego, I would of course be delighted to try some more of your wines. As a hobbyist, these $20 bottles do add up over time.
Best regards,
Chris
I was just in Trader Joe’s this weekend when I saw Sebastien Roux’s Pommard and Volnay wines. Interestingly enough, I had been searching for wines produced by Roux Pere et Fils since I visited the winery last summer in Bourgogne (Burgundy). I had met Sebastien’s brother, Mathieu, a few year ago through a French friend. So while my wife and I were vacationing in Burgundy last summer, we decided to go tasting at Roux Pere et Fils. We had a great opportunity to taste wines with Sebastien and Mathieu’s Grandfather, Marcel (correct me if I am mistaken, Sebastien, you have a lot of family!). We ran into Mathieu at the end of the tasting, and he took us on a tour of the winery the following day. The operation is quite impressive, yet the feel of the winery, and certainly the taste of the wine, carries the dedication and perfection of a family owned business. After seeing the wine in Trader Joe’s I had to make certain that the Sebastien Roux label is indeed affiliated with Roux Pere et Fils. Sebastien, can’t wait to get my hands on more of your wine, and please give my best to your family.
I am delighted to know that Sebastien Roux is not only a vintner, but a man of courtesy and style.
It is a pleasure to read the comments of fellow appreciators of fine French wines, but even more a pleasure to read the courteous and informative reply from the winery.
As we say in Espana, “Salud!”
Hi, I URGENTLY need to get in touch with Mrs. Days-Smith: she wrote an e-mail to us and it doesn’t work… at all. It gives a return message that her e-mail doesn’t exist. Please be so kind to write from a different address !!
Thank you for the review, and Bravo on having the real Sebastien pick up on your blog. I, too, had heard the rumor about Roux being a Trader Joe’s brand, and it seemed to make sense considering this bottle costs about half of what one typically pays for a Volnay.
In any case, any idea on what the ideal time to open this bottle would be? From all indications, 2005 was an excellent vintage in Burgundy and as such might take well to a few years of aging.