2011 Chateau Rollan de By Médoc Cru Bourgeois 750 ml

Top Cru Bourgeois and Undeniable Value

Over the years, we’ve presented more than a few top Cru Bourgeois that readily compete with some of Bordeaux’s Classified Growths — none more so than Jean Guyon who Wine Spectator has hailed as a “top producer of Cru Bourgeois,” a fact that isn’t surprising given Alain Reynaud (Colgin Cellars) was hired as the consulting winemaker in 2005. When Decanter blind-tasted the full slate of 2011 Cru Bourgeois, Guyon’s 2011 Château Rollan de By stole the show — earning the #1 spot for the vintage. On top of that, none other than Robert Parker said “there there is a lot to like about this beautiful Médoc,” and called it “a sleeper of the vintage.” Given its usual $30 price tag, we see a lot to love, at $19.99 — 33% off, it’s an incredible value that will reward lovers of classic Bordeaux every time they pull out a bottle.

In 2005, Guyon enlisted Alain Reynaud as consulting winemaker. Stateside, Reynaud’s expertise serves but one estate: Napa’s Colgin Cellars. In his native Bordeaux, he is best known for the stellar wines of Château Quinault l’Enclos (which was bought by the owners of Cheval Blanc in 2008), and for being called upon to usher Second Growth Château Lascombes back to its previous glory.

This commitment has made Château Rollan de By a consistent overachiever, and propelled it to an appearance on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list, alongside wines with triple-digit prices. Year in and year out, Rollan de By is one of the most reliable buys in the Médoc. When it sits atop all Cru Bourgeois, it’s an undeniable value.