Description
“A domaine that continues to make great strides under the current generation.” The World of Fine Wine, Issue 47
“Lamarche is now a top domaine, with wines which express themselves through their subtlety rather than their power. Since 1999, and more especially since 2005, the quality has been top-notch. This is now a three star domaine.” Clive Coates MW, My Favourite Burgundies
Domaine François Lamarche are sole owners of La Grande Rue, one of the four grand cru monopoles of Vosne-Romanée (La Tâche, La Romanée and La Romanée Conti are the others). In this day and age, great Burgundy Domaines such as this are a rare find – even more exceptional because the vineyard holdings here are almost entirely made up of Grand Cru and Premier Cru parcels in Vosne/Echézeaux. Under the current generation – Nicole and Nathalie Lamarche – quality at this Domaine has skyrocketed and this is now one of the very finest sources of fragrant, supple and richly-fruited Vosne.
It’s safe to say Nicole Lamarche isn’t really concerned about ruffling a few feathers. In the ultra-conservative village of Vosne-Romanée Lamarche’s sense of fashion already has her standing out, and she also isn’t afraid to speak her mind. Perhaps this individuality is one reason Nicole Lamarche has been able to so rapidly lead her family’s Domaine back up the quality hierarchy.
In 2015, Lamarche courted some controversy by waiting to pick after the rain—after a dry season she felt her grapes needed a drink in order to be able to produce their finest quality. The results were stunning. This year she decided to eschew all new oak in the cellar, even for the grand cru wines, telling Alan Meadows, “I really am after the purity of expression with no interference.” And, sure enough, purity is what you’ll be getting in spades with this Domaine’s 2016s.
Lamarche holds 1.35-hectares of vineyards in the Clos de Vougeot situated in three terroirs: one at the top of the Clos near to the Château (actually two small parcels in the area known as Montiotes Hautes), one in the middle tranche on the Vosne side (Petits Maupertis), and the remaining parcel lower down, near the RN74 (Baudes Basses). All three parcels are picked at the same time. As you might expect, Nicole Lamarche chooses to vinify a finer, prettier expression of the Clos—very Vosne in style. Vougeot seldom comes with a structure as lacy and as elegant as this. That said, a terroir can’t completely change its spots and, in the context of this producer, you will naturally find more power and more mineral, savoury structure when compared to the other wines listed here.
91-94 points, Allen Meadows, Burghound.com, Issue 69 Jan 2018 “A nicely broad and unusually perfumed mélange displays notes of earth, spice, red currant and blackberry. The rich, delicious and supple middle weight plus flavors possess excellent delineation on the vibrant, intense and driving youthfully austere finish that immediately tightens up to confirm that this will also need extended keeping before it fully reveals its full potential. Even so, this is undeniably prettier than it usually is and while the word ‘elegance’ and Clos de Vougeot are rarely used in the same sentence, this is the exception that proves the rule.”
95pts Tim Atkin MW: “Three parcels, picked together, make up the blend of this Grand Cru, which is slightly firmer and more tannic than most of the Lamarche line up. That said, everything is relative and this is still a light, floral, mineral-edged wine with balance and nuance and haunting red fruit flavours. 2024-32.”
Our Price $499.99 **Extremely Limited**
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