Domaine Francois Lamarche
About Domaine Francoir Lamarche
Nicole and Natalie Lamarche have brought Domaine François Lamarche back to its former glory. The domaine has gone from strength to strength in recent years and this hasn’t gone unnoticed by leading Burgundy critic Neal Martin as he states that this is among his favourite Burgundy Domaines:
“Nicole Lamarche is one of my favourite winemakers in Vosne-Romanée and she has been instrumental in the revival of this once under-performing domaine, more famous for its propitious monopole of La Grande Rue than for the wines themselves. This is no longer the case and they have improved remarkably in recent years, typically refined and elegant, less powerful wines than their peers, pure and generally approachable earlier than others” - Neal Martin, Vinous
The Vineyards and the Wines
Most of the domaine’s holdings are in the village of Vosne-Romanée. The jewel in the crown is the monopole vineyard of La Grande Rue, a 1.65 ha which is the 2nd smallest Grand Cru vineyard in the Cote d’Or after La Romanée. La Grand Rue neighbours the fabled vineyards of Romanée-Conti, La Tâche and La Romanée. In terms of Burgundy vineyard locations, it doesn’t get more illustrious than this.
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(12x75cl) 2006Vinous (89-92)
Moderately saturated medium red. Medicinal aromas of red cherry, fresh herbs, licorice and exotic spices. Offers lovely sweetness and intensity of flavor, with a firm tannic spine giving it structure and grip. This boasts good breadth but shows some slightly bitter medicinal austerity and is evolving very slowly. Marie-Blanche says the family owns parcels at the top, middle and bottom of this huge grand cru vineyard.HK$14,985.00 -
(6x75cl) 2006Vinous (89-92)
Moderately saturated medium red. Medicinal aromas of red cherry, fresh herbs, licorice and exotic spices. Offers lovely sweetness and intensity of flavor, with a firm tannic spine giving it structure and grip. This boasts good breadth but shows some slightly bitter medicinal austerity and is evolving very slowly. Marie-Blanche says the family owns parcels at the top, middle and bottom of this huge grand cru vineyard.HK$7,465.00 -
Burghound (91-94)
A gentle application of wood sets off the intensely earthy dark currant and slightly gamy aromas. This resembles the Malconsorts in terms of its robust muscularity on the broad-shouldered flavors that possess excellent punch while delivering a touch of animale character on the youthfully austere and persistent finish. This isn't a wine of finesse but it is impressively scaled and clearly built-to-age.HK$1,320.00 -
Wine Advocate (90-92)
From 1.35 hectares of vines in the upper sector of Clos Vougeot (in the lieu-dit Montiotes Hautes), Nicole managed to eke out just 12 barrels to make her 2016 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru. It has a pleasant bouquet with attractive woodland/undergrowth scents complementing the light red berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, well balanced and perhaps demonstrating more substance than the Echézeaux that was equally impacted by the frost. I appreciate here the touch of white pepper lingering on the aftertaste. Fine.HK$1,405.00 -
(3x150cl) 2016Wine Advocate (90-92)
From 1.35 hectares of vines in the upper sector of Clos Vougeot (in the lieu-dit Montiotes Hautes), Nicole managed to eke out just 12 barrels to make her 2016 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru. It has a pleasant bouquet with attractive woodland/undergrowth scents complementing the light red berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, well balanced and perhaps demonstrating more substance than the Echézeaux that was equally impacted by the frost. I appreciate here the touch of white pepper lingering on the aftertaste. Fine.HK$7,180.00 -
(1x75cl) 2017Vinous (92)
The 2017 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru has a slightly diffuse nose at first, though it coheres with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy tannins, but there is a lack of tension and precision. Rather reduced toward the finish, which does not urge another sip. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2017 tasting.HK$1,315.00 -
Vinous (92)
The 2017 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru has a slightly diffuse nose at first, though it coheres with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy tannins, but there is a lack of tension and precision. Rather reduced toward the finish, which does not urge another sip. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2017 tasting.HK$6,965.00 -
Vinous (91-93)
The 2018 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru comes from three separate parcels located at both the bottom and the top of the clos. It has a well-defined bouquet of bright red berry fruit, cranberry, morello cherry and touches of pomegranate; an underlying tertiary note becomes more evident with aeration. The fleshy, generous palate is very harmonious, with supple tannins and good acidity. Lightly spiced with a dash of white pepper and rosemary toward the gentle finish. Like other wines from Lamarche, this is understated but very pure and charming.HK$1,205.00 -
Vinous (91-93)
The 2018 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru comes from three separate parcels located at both the bottom and the top of the clos. It has a well-defined bouquet of bright red berry fruit, cranberry, morello cherry and touches of pomegranate; an underlying tertiary note becomes more evident with aeration. The fleshy, generous palate is very harmonious, with supple tannins and good acidity. Lightly spiced with a dash of white pepper and rosemary toward the gentle finish. Like other wines from Lamarche, this is understated but very pure and charming.HK$6,565.00 -
Vinous (91-93)
The 2019 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru does not deliver quite as much intensity and cohesion as the Echézeaux, offering leafy red berry fruit on the nose, which is quite muted at the moment and needs more presence. The palate has a little more chutzpah, displaying better grip than anticipated and a tightly wound, lightly spiced finish. It doesn’t quite make a statement like some other wines from the clos this vintage.HK$1,385.00 -
Vinous (91-93)
The 2019 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru does not deliver quite as much intensity and cohesion as the Echézeaux, offering leafy red berry fruit on the nose, which is quite muted at the moment and needs more presence. The palate has a little more chutzpah, displaying better grip than anticipated and a tightly wound, lightly spiced finish. It doesn’t quite make a statement like some other wines from the clos this vintage.HK$7,495.00 -
(1x150cl) 2020Vinous (94-96)
The 2020 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru has a tightly-wound nose that took time to open in the glass, touches of crushed rock filtering through the redcurrant and wild strawberry fruit. The palate is smooth and sensual, more density and sinew than the Echezeaux and a touch more salinity and energy on the finish. This should age well, but deserves three to four years in bottle.HK$3,125.00 -
(1x300cl) 2020Vinous (94-96)
The 2020 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru has a tightly-wound nose that took time to open in the glass, touches of crushed rock filtering through the redcurrant and wild strawberry fruit. The palate is smooth and sensual, more density and sinew than the Echezeaux and a touch more salinity and energy on the finish. This should age well, but deserves three to four years in bottle.HK$7,925.00 -
Vinous (94-96)
The 2020 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru has a tightly-wound nose that took time to open in the glass, touches of crushed rock filtering through the redcurrant and wild strawberry fruit. The palate is smooth and sensual, more density and sinew than the Echezeaux and a touch more salinity and energy on the finish. This should age well, but deserves three to four years in bottle.HK$1,850.00 -
(3x75cl) 2020Vinous (94-96)
The 2020 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru has a tightly-wound nose that took time to open in the glass, touches of crushed rock filtering through the redcurrant and wild strawberry fruit. The palate is smooth and sensual, more density and sinew than the Echezeaux and a touch more salinity and energy on the finish. This should age well, but deserves three to four years in bottle.HK$9,790.00 -
Vinous (94-96)
The 2020 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru has a tightly-wound nose that took time to open in the glass, touches of crushed rock filtering through the redcurrant and wild strawberry fruit. The palate is smooth and sensual, more density and sinew than the Echezeaux and a touch more salinity and energy on the finish. This should age well, but deserves three to four years in bottle.HK$11,175.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-95)
Light to medium red, less nose than for the Echezeaux, but at least as much fruit on the palate with both more tannins and acidity. This may yet put on more weight in the rest of its elevage. More energy at the back. Drink from 2027-2033.HK$5,930.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-95)
Light to medium red, less nose than for the Echezeaux, but at least as much fruit on the palate with both more tannins and acidity. This may yet put on more weight in the rest of its elevage. More energy at the back. Drink from 2027-2033.HK$7,430.00 -
HK$10,520.00 -
(1x75cl) 2014Wine Advocate (92-94)
The 2014 Echézeaux Grand Cru has a very composed bouquet, conservative at first but opening nicely in the glass, here a mixture of red and dark fruit with an undertow of mineralité. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. There is still some oak to be absorbed towards the finish, but it is very harmonious, silky smooth with good depth on the finish. This has great potential - a classy Echézeaux.HK$1,730.00 -
Vinous (91-93)
The 2017 Echézeaux Grand Cru comes courtesy of the domaine’s 1.32-hectare parcel in the lieu-dit of Les Champs Traversins. The pretty bouquet of vivacious red fruit, infused with touches of crushed violet, is not powerful or multifaceted compared to the previous two vintages. The palate is very well balanced with seamlessly integrated new oak, fleshy on the midpalate, and displays gentle but insistent grip toward the finish. I admire the gradual build in this Echézeaux, which should drink perfectly well after four or five years. Very fine.HK$1,680.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93-97)
The Lamarches are fortunate to have as much as 1.32ha in all, over three plots which are vinified together. Pretty pink purple. The nose offers a little more depth than the 1ers crus without changing register. Fresh red fruits, nicely ripe but not heavy. Alpine strawberry, full red cherry and light raspberry. Beautifully balanced on the palate with the requisite lacy quality and a light touch to the acidity. Fine length.HK$1,575.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93-97)
The Lamarches are fortunate to have as much as 1.32ha in all, over three plots which are vinified together. Pretty pink purple. The nose offers a little more depth than the 1ers crus without changing register. Fresh red fruits, nicely ripe but not heavy. Alpine strawberry, full red cherry and light raspberry. Beautifully balanced on the palate with the requisite lacy quality and a light touch to the acidity. Fine length.HK$9,075.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93-95)
A vibrant crimson and ruby colour. There is more intensity of fruit on the nose than detail. A fractional reduction too. Very intense lifted red fruit up front, gentler behind where the nuances start to come out. Built on balanced acidity rather than tannins. Quite long.HK$12,000.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-94)
A little more depth of cherry red colour here and a delicate but charming bouquet. Builds to the back, a little smokiness and a touch of pepper, a gracious and quite delicate Echezeaux of middling intensity but some length.HK$5,340.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-94)
A little more depth of cherry red colour here and a delicate but charming bouquet. Builds to the back, a little smokiness and a touch of pepper, a gracious and quite delicate Echezeaux of middling intensity but some length.HK$9,560.00 -
HK$20,710.00 -
(1x75cl) 2017Vinous (93-95)
The 2017 Grands Echézeaux Grand Cru comes from 0.30 hectares of vine. It has a tightly wound bouquet at first – one of the few crus from Lamarche to demand coaxing from the glass. It eventually reveals some lovely raspberry preserve, wild strawberry and subtle Seville orange marmalade scents, all very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, and more structure and backbone than the Echézeaux, leading to a fresh and quite saline finish. This will need five or six years in bottle, but there is very good potential here.HK$3,370.00 -
Vinous (92-94)
The 2018 Grands Echézeaux Grand Cru comes from Lamarche’s 0.30 hectares of vine. It has a little more horsepower than the Echézeaux, scents of orange peel and a light ash-like aroma infusing the red fruit. Fine definition here, if not profound complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, lithe tannins. This is a sleek and silky smooth Grands Echézeaux with a lovely touch of spice that bursts through on the finish. Give this two to three years in bottle, as it is will be early-drinking for a Grand Cru, though I suspect it will drink well for many years.HK$3,095.00 -
(6x75cl) 2018Vinous (92-94)
The 2018 Grands Echézeaux Grand Cru comes from Lamarche’s 0.30 hectares of vine. It has a little more horsepower than the Echézeaux, scents of orange peel and a light ash-like aroma infusing the red fruit. Fine definition here, if not profound complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, lithe tannins. This is a sleek and silky smooth Grands Echézeaux with a lovely touch of spice that bursts through on the finish. Give this two to three years in bottle, as it is will be early-drinking for a Grand Cru, though I suspect it will drink well for many years.HK$18,790.00

