Echezeaux Grand Cru 2023 Nicole Lamarche | Burgundy

Nicole Lamarche 'sEchezeaux Grand Cru is born in the heart of the vast Flagey-Échezeaux hillside, in the middle part of the Grand Cru, at the Clos Saint-Denis and Vignes Blanches sites. Facing east and south-east, the parcels at an altitude of around 260 metres benefit from a moderate slope, with poor, stony limestone soils that naturally structure the depth of the Pinot Noir. This geographical configuration favors gradual ripening, preserving the balance between concentration and freshness. In a vintage marked by deliberately low yields, this Grand Cru is entirely destemmed, with Domaine Nicole Lamarche focusing on aromatic purity and textural precision. The hand-harvested, fully de-stemmed grapes were vinified naturally by their indigenous yeasts, before prolonged ageing in oak barrels designed to refine the depth of substance without excess wood. The result is a delicate score for this historic climate of Domaine Lamarche.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin : Nicole Lamarche 'sEchezeaux Grand Cru stands out for its particularly fine interpretation of its terroir, unique among the Grands Crus. This cuvée combines obvious concentration with a supple texture that places it among the most elegant expressions of the climate. This structure, combined with the freshness that characterizes the Domaine Lamarche style, gives the wine a remarkable staying power, capable of evolving over at least two decades. Undoubtedly one of the most racy Grands Crus!

The nose opens with an elegant range of red and black fruits, including cherry, blackcurrant and redcurrant. Floral accents of violet and peony add airy freshness, while notes of fine spices, cocoa and undergrowth give the wine real depth.

On the palate, this Echezeaux Grand Cru de Lamarche is full-bodied and velvety, with tight, perfectly integrated tannins. Flavors of ripe red and black fruits blossom in the density of the juice, carried by the momentum of fine acidity highlighting nuances of morello cherry, sloe and sweet spices. Hints of licorice and a light smoky note follow through to a finish of lingering black fruit. The suppleness and finesse of this wine are matched only by its depth, with an elegance typical of the Domaine Nicole Lamarche style. Sublime!