Michel Rolland has died....

[greatbxfreak]

The famous flying winemaker died during the night between the 19th and 20th of March.

Contrary to what others thought about him, he always had my utmost respect for revolutionizing Bordeaux wines.

Rest in Peace, Michel Rolland!

[AlexR]

A.controversial person, but whose contributions far outweigh his purported standardization of wine.

AR

[KevinH]

A huge influence on Bordeaux. Sad news. R.I.P

[tim]

Definitely one of the most influential people on Bordeaux wines as well as wines around the world. I fondly remember our visit to the labs in 2005. RIP.

[Comte Flaneur]

Sad and shocking news, Alex and I were made very welcome by the legend himself and three generations of his family at his estate Fontenil in October.

Whatever you opinions are, as Kevin notes, he was hugely influential in Bordeaux and the wider wine world. And the list of Bordeaux estates he consulted for or influenced is as long as your arm. RIP

I opened two of ‘his’ wines tonight - the Fontenil white 2022 which is a mix of four white grape varieties. It is a good wine but would be even better if it had a bit less of everything - extract, alcohol and oak.

The other one is a 1971 Le Bon Pasteur which is not a Michel Rolland wine but is a Serge and Genevieve Rolland creation - his mum and dad - Michel took over when his father died in 1978.

It is a super wine and is getting better and better after 90 minutes when I initially thought it might be corked. It is another fabulous 1971 Right Bank…interesting label.

[greatbxfreak]

Controversial and standardizing??

He didn't make the wines; he advised chateau owners on how to make the best possible wine. Some followed his advice; some did not. It wasn't his fault if the winemakers harvested too early or too late, or overextracted at high temperatures.

I will miss him. He was truly a unique and legendary wine consultant.

[Nicklasss]

A sad news. And he left this World in the same two days than another great man, Chuck Norris.

Mr Rolland contributed highly to have better red Bordeaux wines in his own way. I guess micro-bullage came by him, and Fontenil and Bon Pasteur are wines i did not had often, but i really liked the 1988 Bon Pasteur long time ago.

His influence was important, consulting many Château in Bordeaux, and estates in the World.

What he did for wine, fuelled by his passion, merit respect.

RIP « Flying Winemaker »

[greatbxfreak]

I remember following Michel Rolland, the winemaker, and Dominique Befve, the technical manager, in the vineyard at Lascombes in October 2004.

It was fun, informative, and a learning experience that will stay with me forever.

[RPCV]

Sad news. He was such an influential man in the wine industry and he will be missed. The greatness of a person is demonstrated by how they impacted others and his contributions to winemaking will continue forever.

My first introduction to his wines was a 1982 Bon Pasteur; a wine that changed my mind about Merlot-dominated wine.

RIP, Mssr. Rolland.

[Harry C.]

sad news. In my mind, He and Parker were a confluence of forces. Rolland advised, Parker bestowed the high scores.