Chambers & Chambers Wine Merchants The Rolland Collection ‘From Chile’s Casa Lapostolle to Italy’s Tenuta dell’, he’s probably made more oustanding-quality wines than

anyone in modern times...’ Wine Spectator, June 30, 2006 One of the top 10 most powerful people in wine... on Decanter’s 2007 Power List July 2007 A Note from Dany & Michel Rolland Our names are Dany and Michel Rolland, oenologist-farmers. We have put our passion and experience to work to add several French and foreign productions to our family heritage, bringing them all together in the “Rolland Collection”.

The Rolland Collection is a range of Bordeaux wines from five appellations on the right bank, where the Rolland family origi- nated, in . Added to this we have our favorites from “abroad”, discovered when travelling for our work: the New World, with two wines from and , then Spain and after that, who knows what other wine or personal adventures lie ahead.

Everything is organized and harmonized within the family, from vinification to sales, from the vine to the wine. Respect, sensitivity, culture, open-mindedness and passion are all family traits.

Welcome to our world of wine which is also a round the world trip... We hope it will spark your curiosity, your desire to understand and taste and that it will lead you to share the same passion for wine, searching for quality and pleasure in many grape varieties and terroirs! -Dany & Michel BACKGROUND Michel Rolland was born in Libourne, . He attended secondary school there and then went on to the University of Oenology Bor- deaux. This is where he met his wife Dany. They have been together since and have always worked together. In 1971 he graduated from the university with a degree in oenology. In 1973 Michel became a partner of the Chevrier Labo- ratory of Oenology in Libourne and three years later was sole owner of the laboratory.

California wineries began using Michel’s servic- es in 1986; Zelma Long and Simi Winery were the first. In 2002 Michel became a partner of Wine and Vineyards. Presently Michel Rolland consults through his laboratories in many countries: United States, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Spain, Italy and Morocco.

In the Collection there are several properties he and his wife Dany solely own. Château Le Bon Pasteur in Pomerol, Château Bertineau Saint Vincent in Lalande de Pomerol, Château Rolland-Maillet in Saint Émilion, Château Fontenil in Fronsac and Château La Grande Clotte in Lussac Saint Émilion. Michel and Dany are also partial owners in Campo Eliseo in Toro, Spain; Remhoogte Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, South Africa; Val de Flores in Mendoza and Yacochuya in Cafayate, Argentina. The objective is not to produce “First Growths” everywhere, nor to make identical wines all around the world, but simply to allow each wine to ex- press the full potential of its terroir. -Michel Rolland, www.rollandcollection.com

Bordeaux

Château Le Bon Pasteur Located in Maillet, Château Le Bon Pasteur was bought by Hermine and Joseph Dupuy around 1920. Its surface area was originally quite small, but several plots of land were added as the children, Geneviève and Serge Rolland, took over the management. It reached its current size in 1955. Since 1978 Jean-Daniel and Michel Rolland, the two grandsons have run the estate. It goes without saying that Michel Rolland contributes greatly to the growth of a model vineyard and the making of premier crus.

Harvesting is done by hand, plot by plot and is carried out when the crop is fully ripe. The grapes are sorted before and after de-stemming, and vinifi ed separately - with punching down and soft pressing- in small vats. The vats are equipped with a system of thermoregulation that has been in place since 1987. Michel and Dany were the fi rst in the appellation to use this technology.

The desire to preserve the specifi c character of each plot and grape variety until fi nal blending is maintained dur- ing the ageing process in oak barrels. The barrels are renewed every year and the ageing process lasts 12 to 18, months according to the vintages.

The diversity of the soil in the various plots adds complexity and originality to this wine, and the vineyard is re- spected right through to bottling without fi ning. The 2005 vintage received 92-94 points in Wine Spectator, June 2006 and 93-95 points in Wine Advocate, April 30, 2007. Bordeaux, cont. Château Bertineau Saint-Vincent Originally the Bon Pasteur vineyards were made up of small plots from the three communes of Pomerol, Saint Emilion and Néac. At first, all the wines produced and vinified in the small cellar in Pomerol were called Bon Pasteur, but in 1978, the name Bertineau Saint-Vincent was created for the wines produced in the Lalande de Pomerol appellation.

Bertineau is the name of the area in the commune of Néac where the 5.60 hectares of vines are situated. Saint-Vincent was a fourth century martyr who is the patron saint of winemakers and protector of the vine, wine and those who drink it. Nu- merous sayings illustrate the importance of the saint as a protector of viticultural-related activities and one is: if the weather is good on St.-Vincent’s day, there will be a plentiful harvest.

The Bertineau Saint-Vincent grapes are still vinified in the Bon Pasteur cellars, where they are treated with the same care and the same selection made under the watchful and experienced eye of the house oenologist, Michel Rolland.

Château Bertineau Saint-Vincent is a wine with the true character of the Lalande de Pomerol appellation. Aged in one-year old barrels, it is the younger brother of the Pomerol. The property may be lacking a château but the wine is certainly not lacking in charm. The 2005 vintage received 87-89 points in Wine Advocate, April 2007.

Château Rolland-Maillet A similar story to Château Bertineau Saint-Vincent, but with different terroir. Château Rolland-Maillet sits on the border of Pomerol and Saint-Emilion, in a place called Maillet. In the beginning the wine produced here was under the Château Le Bon Pasteur label, but in 1978 it changed. Rolland-Maillet was created for the pro- duction of vines in the Saint-Emilion appellation.

The parents, Serge and Geneviève Rolland, progressively enlarged the original small estate by adding small plots. Its current size is 3.35 hectares of old vines on the beautiful terroir of the ‘Corbin’ area.

Like Château Bertineau Saint-Vincent, the grapes are still vinified at Château Le Bon Pasteur in enlarged, high- performance installations where they are given the same care and selection as the previous mentioned wines. Châ- teau Rolland-Maillet wines are aged in one-year old barrels. This gives these small production ‘Grand Cru’ wines charm and finesse. The 2004 vintage received 89 points in Wine Enthusiast, June 2007.

Château La Grande Clotte This Château gave Michel and Dany the opporunity to make white wine. Before this they were strictly red wine specialists. In 1992 they were able to apply their knowledge and talents and make white wine with respect for tradition, the first in this right bank region! The grapes in this unique little vineyard of 1 hectare are traditional white Bordeaux grape varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sé- millon, and Muscadelle. The vines were planted in 1992 on a beautiful terroir in the commune of Lussac.

Traditional growing methods are used. Among these are: manual leaf thinning and harvesting, rigorous selection on the vine and on the sorting tables, and white wine vinification using the most meticulous techniques.

Fermentation occurs in new oak barrels. Stirring the lees and bottling without fining results in a wine with good aromatic complexity. This limited production wine is full and harmonious on the palate. The 2006 vintage received 90-92 points in Wine Advocate, April 30, 2007. Bordeaux, cont.

Château Fontenil Dany and Michel Rolland know the Fronsac appellation well. Having been consultants to numerous estates in the region, they decided to set up shop there. In 1986 they acquired a few hectares in the commune of Saillans, which they called Château Fontenil, after the name of one of the plots in the vineyard. The renovation work on the facilities lasted until 1999; the vinifi- cation cellars, the barrel cellar and the storage cellar were all equipped with high-performance equipment. This equipment includes small stainless steel and wooden vats, a double sorting table, barrel stock of which 60% are renewed each year and where malolactic fermentation is carried out, sustainable viticulture, and manual harvesting plot by plot using small crates.

The vines are on a south facing slope, looking down at the town of Libourne. This magnificent setting frames an estate whose wines have enhanced the reputation of the Fronsac appellation. The 2004 vintage received 4 stars in Decanter, June 2005 and 90 points in Wine Enthusiast, June 2007. The 2005 vintage received 4 stars in Decanter, June 2006 and 90-92 points in Wine Advocate, April 30, 2007.

Le Défi de Fontenil In 2000, Dany and Michel Rolland, still seeking out quality and new experi- ments, placed plastic sheeting on the soil between the rows of vines on some plots at Château Fontenil. They wanted to prevent rain penetration during the month preceding the harvest. The Fontenil grapes provide powerful wines with ripe, harmonious tannins, especially in dry years. The richness of the soil was not widely known, so it seemed to be a good idea to show its potential by giving nature an (experimental) helping hand in rainy years.

The INAO (National Institute of Appellations of Origin) did not feel that this practice represented the true terroir. Since the soil was being modified, the resulting wine could not have the appellation, but would be con- sidered a table wine.

This did not stop Michel and Dany from ‘experimenting’ again and again. This same practice was done over four vintages, 2000, 2001, 2004 and 2005 and each time the results were conclusive; the grapes had riper tannins, better sugar/acidity balance and unequalled density, suppleness and style. Today, Le Défi de Fontenil remains the top cuvée at the Château, with limited production.

Château Pomeaux Château Pomeaux has approximately four hectares of vineyards located on the southeastern slope of the Pomerol plateau near the border of Pomerol and St.- Emilion. The 100% Noir vines are nearly 40 years of age. The soil is a combination of gravel, clay and sand with iron-pan and clay in the subsoil. Mi- chel consults on the production of the wines. Like the properties Michel owns, Pomeaux employs a combination of sophisticated vineyard and winemaking techniques while staying true to the terroir. The result is a wine that is extraor- dinarily rich and robust with elegant balance and a delicate and marvelous bouquet. It needs to be mentioned that this Château has been managed by Wine and Vineyards (Wave) since 1998. Michel became a partner at Wave in 2002 and therefore has direct interest in Château Pomeaux; however, it is not a family property and there- fore not included in the Michel Rolland Collection. Château Pomeaux is one of the most up-and-coming Chateaux in Pomerol. Robert Parker says, “The 2005 Pomeaux is the finest effort I have ever tasted from this small Pomerol estate.” April 2006. Map of Bordeaux

Fronsac: Château Fontenil Le Défi de Fontenil

Pomerol: Château Le Bon Pasteur Château Pomeaux

Lussac

Lussac: Château La Grande Clotte

St. Emilion: Lalande de Pomerol: Château Rolland-Maillet Château Bertineau Saint-Vincent Spain Toro Duero Valley Campo Eliseo Campo Eliseo is a joint effort between Michel Rolland and Jacques Lur- ton. People always compared their respective styles, so they fi gured they should make wine together. They were tempted by Spain, both agreeing on the potential of the terroir of the Duero Valley, and since Jacques and François Lurton had already set up a fa- cility in Toro, it seemed like a great idea. All they needed was to fi nd the grapes to buy. And that is how the Rolland-Lurton partnership began.

In order to make the Campo Eliseo wine, they selected fi ve Spanish winegrowers who work together and whose vines are situated on the dri- est and latest-ripening sandy-clay terroirs in the Duero Valley. The vines are all more than 30 years old. The cultivation methods are rigorous: working the soil, pruning, green pruning, leaf-thinning, green harvesting, etc. Also, the favorable climate allows treatment with sulphur to be limited. The result is a new dimension given to the Tempranillo (called Tinta de Toro in Spain).

The fi rst vintage made was in 2001. Michel and Dany Rolland, along with Jacques and François Lurton, are now making their sixth vintage. The wine is still made in Toro. In view of the positive results from the very fi rst vinifi cations, they decided to fi nd some land for a production unit. Currently they are putting in place the instal- lations, storage cellar, cellar etc. The 2003 vintage received 90 points in Wine Advocate, June 2005 & Wine Spectator said it is one of the ‘Best 100 Wines in the World’ in March, 2006. South Africa

Remhoogte Wine Estate Remhoogte Estate Formed in 1812, Remhoogte is an estate of 60 hectares, on the south-west slope of the Simonsberg Mountain, near Stellenbosch. This area is one of the best re- gions for vine growing and winemaking in South Africa.

In 1994 the estate was bought by Murray and Juliet Boustred who proceeded to plant 30 hectares of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Pinotage. They began to renovate the buildings, the latest undertaking being the construction of new cellars and the installation of new winemaking equipment. According to the Boustreds, the aim of the part- nership with Michel Rolland was to add another dimension to the wines made in their estate.

Dany and Michel Rolland, who had fallen in love with South Africa, signed the partnership agreement in 2001 with Remhoogte Estate. Remhoogte & Bonne Nouvelle They saw an estate with great potential and with high-quality terroir. The vineyard is tended by seven families who live on the estate (South African law requires wineries to provide housing to those who work the land). Pruning, harvesting and sorting are all carried out manually and pigeage (punching-down the cap) is done to obtain extraction in the gentlest possible manner. The result is a dry wine that promises good aging potential.

Not only is Remhoogte a great place to make wine, but it also has a wonderful view! It’s not everywhere you can see antelopes and zebras watching over the vineyard! The 2003 vintage received 92 points in Wine Enthusiast, October 2006.

Bonne Nouvelle Bonne Nouvelle is the flagship wine produced by the Remhoogte Estate. The name means ‘Good News’ in English. The same care that is given to the Remhoogte wine is also given to Bonne Nouvelle, from the work being carried out manually, to each grape variety being vinified separately in order to give full expression to its character. Matur- ing is carried out in French oak barrels, 50% of which are new. For the final blending, the best of each grape variety (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage) goes into the wine. The result is a nicely complex wine with a unique South African character thanks to a significant percentage of Pinotage. The 2003 vintage received 92 points in Wine Enthusiast, November 2006. Argentina Yacochuya In 1988, Dany and Michel Rolland were asked to be consultants to one of the oldest fami- lies in the valley of Calchaquie. There they discovered Cafayate, a true paradise for viticul- ture in the north-west of Argentina. They quickly fell in love with the country, its culture, traditions and its people. They were also convinced that unique, outstanding wines could be produced in this mountain region of the Andes foothills.

The region is situated several hundred kilometres to the south of the Tropic of Capricorn. The site is at an altitude of 6560 feet and has a very distinctive climate with hot days and cool nights. The aver- age age of the vines is sixty years. The wine is rich with cocoa Cafayate & Yacochuya notes and nice loamy undertones. The 2003 vintage received 89 points in Wine Spectator, October Mendoza & Val de Flores 2006.

Val De Flores The small vineyard producing this wine is planted with Malbec vines more than fifty years old. It is situated at the foot of the Andean mountain range, at Vista Flores, South Mendoza. The view is breathtaking: row after row of vines bordered with rose bushes and olive trees, with snow-topped peaks in the background. Sounds picture perfect. Val de Flores will always celebrate this enchanting preserved nature, while they share their passion for Argentinean wines!

Dany and Michel have devoted all of their care to the grapes, as well as their enthusiasm and experience to the Val de Flores project. They have created a spicey perfumed Malbec with rich blackberry flavors. The 2003 vintage received 91 points in Wine Advocate, June 2005 & the 2004 vintage received 91 points in Wine Spectator, October 15, 2006. All information taken from www.rollandcollection.com

All this being said, what is the conclusion? As the saying goes ‚“If you want something done, do it yourself” - so you must taste! Notes given by journalists will never equal your own personal taste to tell if you will enjoy such and such wine. And at the end of the day that’s what really counts. -Michel Rolland, www.rollandcollection.com

Updated 10/31/07