Learn everything about Domaine Jean Royer Chateauneuf du Pape with wine tasting notes, wine and food pairing tips, best vintages, a history of the property and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important wineries and wine makers from the Rhone valley: Links to all Rhone Valley Wine Producer Profiles
Domaine Jean Royer History, Overview
While Domaine Jean Royer is a fairly new estate in the Southern Rhone Valley that only dates back to 1985, the Royer has roots in Chateauneuf du Pape that go all the way back to the 1700’s. Before becoming a family of vignerons, they practiced several trades, including bricklayers and construction. In fact, members of the Royer family helped build Chateau Fines Roches.
Like many vineyards, Domaine Jean Royer either sold their harvests to negociants or rented out their vines to other producers. That changed in 1985, when the young Jean Royer changed things up and began producing, bottling and selling their own wine. However, there was one obstacle in their path.
Until 1985, the property went under the name of Clos des Marquis. That name was considered to be too close to the famous wine, Clos du Marquis produced by Leoville Las Cases in St. Julien, Bordeaux.
To avoid confusion in the market and to make sure they had no problems with the Delon family of Leoville Las Cases, the name of the property was quickly changed to Domaine Jean Royer. If the name of Jean-Marie Roye, who manages the estate today sounds familiar, it is due to his earlier career as a Rugby player.
One of the next important decisions made by Jean Royer was to bring in Philippe Cambie as their consultant in 1988, when Philippe Cambie was just starting his career.
Domaine Jean Royer Vineyards, Wines, Winemaking
Domaine Jean Royer owns 5 hectares of vines in the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation. Their vines are located in two main lieux-dits. Until recently, 80% of their grapes are planted in Bois de la Ville and 20% of their vines are located in Les Grandes Serres.
That changed with the 2010 vintage when they were able to purchase a small parcel of vines in the La Crau vineyard
Domaine Jean Royer produces 5 red Chateauneuf du Pape wines and 1 white Chateauneuf du Pape wine.
Domaine Jean Royer Tradition is a blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre and 5% Cinsault. But that blend can vary as in some vintages, no Cinsault is used in the wine. The vines are planted in the La Crau and les Grandes Serres lieux-dits.
Their terroir is mostly rocks and stones, with some sand. 50% to 90% of the grapes are destemmed. The wine is aged in a combination of used, French oak barrels and demi-muids. On average, 350 cases are produced of this wine each year.
Domaine Jean Royer Cuvee Prestige is made from mostly old vine Grenache from vines that are between 80 to 100 years of age. However, some of the Grenache vines are even older than 100 years. The terroir is pure galets. The wine blends the old vine Grenache with up to 20% Mourvedre.
All of the fruit comes from the Bois de la Ville and les Grandes Serres lieux-dits. 50% to 90% of the grapes are destemmed. For the aging, 50^% of the wine is aged in demi-muid, while the remainder is aged in tank. About 350 cases are produced in an average vintage.
Domaine Jean Royer Cuvee Hommage a Mon Pere is made from 100% old vine Grenache from the Grandes Serres lieu-dit. The youngest vines are at least 80 years of age and the oldest vines were planted back in 1890. About 350 cases of this wine are produced each year.
Domaine Jean Royer Cuvee les Sables de Crau is produced using 100% old vine Grenache from sandy terroir in the La Crau vineyard, as the name suggests. The wine is aged in used demi-muids for 12 months before bottling.
Domaine Jean Royer Sola Syrah Regalis is one of the few wines from Chateauneuf du Pape made using 100% Syrah. 50% to 90% of the grapes are destemmed. The wine is aged in 100% new, French oak barrels for 12 months before bottling. The wine is only produced in select vintages and when it is produced not much is made as the production hovers between 100 and 125 cases.
Domaine Jean Royer Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc is blended using 50% Grenache Blanc, 30% Bourboulenc and 20% Clairette from a small .85 hectare parcel of vines.
When to Drink Domaine Jean Royer, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time
Domaine Jean Royer can be enjoyed on the young side. Young vintages can be popped and poured, or decanted for about 1 hour, more or less. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.
Domaine Jean Royer is usually better with 3-5 years of bottle age. Of course that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage. In the best vintages the wine should be consumed within 4-14 years after the vintage.
Serving Domaine Jean Royer with Wine, Food Pairing Tips
Domaine Jean Royer is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.
Domaine Jean Royer is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, barbecue, stewed dishes, sausage and cassoulet. Domaine Jean Royer is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, pasta, eggplant, cheese and tomatoes.
The white wine of Domaine Jean Royer is best served with a myriad of different seafood dishes, shellfish, crab, lobster, sushi, sashimi, chicken, pork and veal, as well as Asian cuisine.
Domaine Jean Royer also owns vines in the Cotes du Rhone appellation where they produce Le Petit Domaine, a red Vin de Table.
Domaine Jean Royer Wine Tasting Notes
20 Vintages 43,879 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating
2021
Domaine Jean Royer Cuvée Tradition (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Fruity in style, the wine focuses on its strawberries, and kirsch, with its peppery and tea accents. Medium-bodied, and vibrant, with a dash of spice to the red fruits, this is already delicious in your glass. The wine was made using 90% Grenache, 5% Syrah and 5% Cinsault. Drink from 2024-2030. 405 Views Tasted Jan 30, 2024 |
2020
Domaine Jean Royer Cuvée Les Sables de la Crau (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
The top of the line Cuvee from Jean Royer shows a strong floral essence that is perfect for all the sweet, ripe, fresh, red fruits that define the wine. Creamy, polished, lush and pure, the wine was made from 100% old vine Grenache from vines located in the La Crau lieu-dit. With a bit of aging, this could score even higher. Drink from 2022-2035. 748 Views Tasted Jan 27, 2023 |
2020
Domaine Jean Royer Cuvée Prestige (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Smoky red fruits, peppery spices and herbs are on the nose and in the medium bodied, earthy, olive-tinted palate. There is good energy, lift and freshness here along with a spicy kick in the endnote. The wine was made blending 80% Grenache with 10% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah. 818 Views Tasted Jan 27, 2023 |
2019
Domaine Jean Royer Cuvée Les Sables de la Crau (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
White flowers and peppery cherries are all over the place here. Medium-bodied, soft, refined and polished, the fruit is pure, fresh and clean with just a minor touch of spice on the backend. The wine was made from 100% old vine Grenache from vines located in the La Crau lieu-dit. Drink from 2022 - 2033 2,223 Views Tasted Jan 9, 2022 |
2019
Domaine Jean Royer Cuvée Prestige (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Flowers, cherries and herbs come through easily. The soft-textured wine is medium bodied, forward, refined and elegantly textured, leaving you with a juicy mouthful of ripe cherries and a hint of dark chocolate in the endnote. The wine was made blending 80% Grenache with 10% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah. Drink from 2023 - 2033 2,016 Views Tasted Jan 9, 2022 |
2019
Domaine Jean Royer Cuvée Tradition (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Round, lush and fruity with layers of ripe, sweet, juicy red berries from start to finish. There is a nice depth of flavor to all the layers of sweet kirsch on the palate and in the finish. The wine was made using 90% Grenache, 5% Syrah and 5% Cinsault. Drink from 2023 - 2032 3,746 Views Tasted Jan 9, 2022 |
2019
Domaine Jean Royer Blanc (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Pomelo, spice, flowers, and a touch of orange pop with little effort on the nose. On the palate, the wine is fresh sweet, ripe, forward and fruity with an energetic blast of citrus and white peach in the finish. Drink from 2022 - 2030 1,205 Views Tasted Jan 9, 2022 |
2017
Domaine Jean Royer Cuvée Les Sables de la Crau (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Elegant, ripe, fresh, sweet and focused on its purity and energy, the wine is medium bodied, silky and loaded with sweet, red pit fruits. The wine was made from 100% old vine Grenache from vines located in the La Crau lieu-dit. 2,333 Views Tasted Sep 21, 2019 |
2017
Domaine Jean Royer Cuvée Tradition (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Ripe, juicy, sweet kirsch, licorice and herbs are all over the place from start to finish. The wine is soft, lush and approachable, with a load of ripe red pit fruits in the finish. The wine was made using 90% Grenache, 5% Syrah and 5% Cinsault. 2,144 Views Tasted Sep 21, 2019 |
2017
Domaine Jean Royer Cuvée Prestige (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Medium bodied and loaded with ripe, sweet, juicy, red fruits, the silky textures and purity here really make the wine. The wine is supple and sensuous in texture. The wine was made blending 80% Grenache with 10% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah. 4,040 Views Tasted Sep 21, 2019 |
2016
Domaine Jean Royer Cuvée Tradition (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Lusciously textured, with sweet, juicy kirsch and cherries, you also find tobacco, pepper and herbs to add nuance. The wine was made using 90% Grenache, 5% Syrah and 5% Cinsault. 3,301 Views Tasted Sep 10, 2018 |
2015
Domaine Jean Royer Cuvée Les Sables de la Crau (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Polished, silky and fresh, the fruits are ripe, sweet and delicious. Loads of kirsch here on the palate and nose, with even more fruit in the juicy, elegant, fresh finish. The wine was made from 100% old vine Grenache from vines located in the La Crau lieu-dit. 3,078 Views Tasted Aug 21, 2017 |
2015
Domaine Jean Royer Cuvée Tradition (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Medium bodied, fresh and sweet with a tobacco and spice note to compliment the fruit, the wine is already approachable, due to its forward charm, leaving with wild strawberries and on the nose, and palate. The wine was made using 90% Grenache, 5% Syrah and 5% Cinsault. 2,540 Views Tasted Aug 21, 2017 |
2014
Domaine Jean Royer Cuvée Les Sables de la Crau (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Silky, supple and polished, there is a sexy style here, with the polished, opulent textures, sweet red fruits and floral accents. The finish is long, clean and fresh, 2,268 Views Tasted Jun 23, 2016 |
2014
Domaine Jean Royer Cuvée Prestige (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Freshness, minerality, sweet, wild strawberries and juicy, ripe kirsch notes create the profile. The wine is supple and sensuous in texture and will offer nice drinking pleasure on release. 2,109 Views Tasted Jun 23, 2016 |
2014
Domaine Jean Royer Cuvée Tradition (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Medium bodied, sweet, fresh, vibrant, peppery, spicy cherries, wild strawberries and black raspberries are easy to find on the nose, and on the palate. The soft, sweet, fruit filled quality carries through to the finish. 1,335 Views Tasted Jun 23, 2016 |
2012
Domaine Jean Royer Cuvée Les Sables de la Crau (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Any Chateauneuf du Pape made from 100% Grenache planted in one of the best vineyards on La Crau should have it all going on, and this does for sure. Pure, liquid kirsch, garrigue, black pepper and wild raspberries are in full force. The lusciously textured, fruit filled finish hit the spot too! 2,219 Views Tasted Nov 9, 2016 |
2010
Domaine Jean Royer Cuvée Prestige (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Rich, luscious, ripe, dark red fruits, thyme and a blast of sweet kirsch hit the spot. The wine offers freshness, ripe fruits and it's in a forward, approachable style, so you can drink it young, for its primary appeal, or age it, for more earthy, secondary characteristics. 1,908 Views Tasted Sep 13, 2016 |
2009
Domaine Jean Royer Cuvée Prestige (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Medium/full bodied, with ripe, black cherries, thyme and kirsch on the nose, the texture is soft, and polished, leaving with more, sweet, spicy, red fruits in the round, polished finish. 2,283 Views Tasted Aug 24, 2017 |
2007
Domaine Jean Royer Sola Syrah Regalis (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Concentrated, with depth of flavor, along with tannins and acidity, the wine, while well made, and showing a lot of dark, red fruits, does not quite rock my boat. This is my first time tasting a Chateauneuf made from 100% Syrah. While the wine is certainly interesting, it does make it obvious as to why Grenache is King in the region. 2,379 Views Tasted Feb 13, 2017 |