Francois Lamarche Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2016
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Robert
Parker -
Jasper
Morris
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
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.
Barrel Sample: 90-92 -
Jasper Morris
Clear fresh colour with a lifted bouquet, ripe fruit, elegance, some stems, very pretty, again the winemaking overplays the terroir at this point in its life but it is elegant and long. Passion fruit.
Other Vintages
2017-
Jasper
Morris
The Lamarche Estate, which now boasts a total surface area of nearly 28 acres, is a family firm, whose origin goes back several generations. Integrated viticulture has been adopted for all the vineyards, and both the terroir and history are expressed in the wines. They all have in common that elegance which combines exceptional balance and a delicate nose.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
Containing the largest Grand Cru in all of the Côte d’Or, Vougeot, the village, takes its name from the small stream flowing through it, called Vouge. Over three quarters of the village retains Grand Cru status, and a single vineyard at that: Clos de Vougeot (or simply, Clos Vougeot). Its mass—over 50 ha—retains the single name chiefly for historic reasons.
But today, Clos de Vougeot contains over 80 owners and shows significant soil and slope variations within its boundaries. The top, bordering Musigny and Grands Echezeaux, is calcareous and gravelly on oolitic limestone and exhibits wonderful drainage. The middle sections are limestone, gravel and clay with less of a slope. The lower part has little slant and is mostly made of clay. Historically the diverse parcels were blended but today the abundance of owners means that everyone has his own style. Exploring and understanding them is part of the allure of Clos de Vougeot.
In general a fine Clos de Vougeot when young will be dense and dark but juicy, with a pronounced austerity, and needs a good ten years to bring it to its full potential.