Gevrey Chambertin 2022 Nicole Lamarche | Burgundy

Nicole Lamarche 's Gevrey-Chambertin comes from parcels located to the south of the village, not far from Mazoyères-Chambertin, in a place called Aux Echézeaux. On these hillsides, which border the entrance to Gevrey from Morey-Saint-Denis, the clay-limestone soils of the Côte de Nuits provide octogenarian Pinot Noir vines with a profound terrain for expression. Nicole Lamarche selects the grapes from these parcels, which have been handed down in the same family for three generations, for her high-quality cuvées de négoce, which she vinifies in the pure spirit of Domaine Lamarche. Hand harvesting, natural fermentation in open vats and careful ageing in oak barrels with a low proportion of new wood help to preserve the terroir's straightforwardness. This rare cuvée, produced in only one barrel, is a delicate interpretation of the Côte de Nuits.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin : Nicole Lamarche 's Gevrey-Chambertin illustrates the ability of this great Burgundy winemaker to reveal the essence of a terroir outside her stronghold of Vosne-Romanée. The wine displays a density that far exceeds the standards of a simple cru communal de Bourgogne, with a ripe tannic base and textural precision reminiscent of certain Premiers Crus in the area. The ripeness of the vintage gives it immediate depth, but what strikes you first is the quality of the grain: ripe, rounded, almost velvety tannins, which are a natural match for the richness of the fruit. The proximity of the great terroirs of southern Gevrey can be felt in the density of the structure, but the whole remains straight and precise, without excess, true to the style of Domaine Nicole Lamarche, which is more concerned with balance and finesse than with demonstration. This is a wine that will find its place both in immediate pleasure and in a cellar for laying down.

The nose opens with a bouquet of ripe red fruit, dominated by cherry and raspberry, joined by a hint of sweet spice and nuances of blond tobacco. The depth of fruit is accompanied by a more earthy dimension in the background, while an airy, floral touch refreshes the whole.

On the palate, Nicole Lamarche 's Gevrey Chambertin is full-bodied and enveloping, with ripe, velvety tannins. The fruit retains a beautiful intensity, balanced by a freshness that energizes the whole and accompanies the rise in power of the spicy frame. The texture remains fluid throughout, fueled by a tonic juice that prolongs the cherry and spice flavors with great length. The balance between richness and finesse leaves an impression of harmony and serene density on the palate.