Domaine Francois Lamarche Vosne-Romanee 'Les Suchots' 1er Cru 2012

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

This domaine has its roots at the start of the 20th century when Henri Lamarche, a cooper, married Marie Grivelet from Chambolle-Musigny. Henri started making his own wines and selling them directly from the estate. It was his son who gained the La Grande Rue vineyard from his wife's family by way of a dowry. This was in the 1930s when there wasn't great demand for burgundy and grands crus attracted more tax, so M Lamarche decided to leave the vineyard as a premier cru (this is despite its location between La Tâche and Romanée-Conti). In 1989 La Grande Rue was elevated to grand cru status by the INAO. Lamarche bottles 14 different wines from a little more than 10 hectares of vineyards.

‘Les Suchots’ lies just north of Romanée-Saint-Vivant and below Richebourg, and is considered one of the top Premier Crus of Vosne-Romanée. The vineyard is known for combining the richness and volume of Echézeaux with the perfume and finesse of the grands crus above it. The Lamarche holdings are located in the heart of the vineyard, where the deep, well-drained soils give wines of generous fruit and supple structure.

2012 was a small but concentrated vintage. This wine reflects that with layers of ripe red cherry and plum, soft floral notes, and a touch of spice. The palate is textured and velvety, with enough structure to support mid-term ageing. A characterful and complete expression of Vosne from a domaine with deep ties to the village.

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