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François Lamarche Grand Cru La Grande Rue 2016

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François Lamarche Grand Cru La Grande Rue 2016
Producer Domaine Francois Lamarche
Region, Country Vosne-Romanee, France
Bottle Size 750ml
Product Code 16569-750

The 1.65-hectare of La Grande Rue dates back to the 15th century and takes its name from the small road bordering the vineyard as it climbs above the town. The vineyard is enviably situated between La Tâche to the south and La Romanée-Conti, La Romanée and Romanée-Saint-Vivant to the north. In truth, it is simply a continuation of the La Tâche vineyard and can be thought of as a lighter-bodied (and somewhat lighter priced) version of La Tâche*. The site first came into Lamarche hands in 1933 and has been a monopole of the family ever since. After La Romanée, La Grande Rue is the smallest of the Vosne Grand Crus. Clive Coates MW writes: “La Grande Rue, in my view, is a more feminine wine than La Tâche. It is closer to Romanée-Saint-Vivant.” Meadows also tells us (in The Pearl of the Côte) that the wine’s ageing potential most closely mirrors that of Romanée-Saint-Vivant.

As always, comparisons are problematic—La Grande Rue clearly has its own personality and it is clearly a site of great class. When you taste this wine next to the same producer’s Echézeaux and Clos de Vougeot (which are themselves superb examples of their respective Grand Cru vineyards), the sheer class and depth of La Grande Rue is self-evident. The 2016 is clearly a milestone vintage for this vineyard and this producer.

François Lamarche Grand Cru La Grande Rue 2016

Reviews

“This is clearly a wine of distinction – Vosne-Romanée royalty if you prefer – and there is no royalty higher in the Côte de Nuits. It is elegant, endlessly complex, and I could spend the whole night sniffing the glass.”
Bill Nanson, The Finest Wines of Burgundy
“La Grande Rue is a multifaceted wine, combining finesse, elegance, refinement, good if not huge power, a highly scented spice-infected nose and beautiful harmony of expression, all wrapped up in a wonderfully seductive and satiny finish. In particular, it can deliver succulent richness, even opulence and mature into pure velvet and silk.”
Allen Meadows, The Pearl of the Côte - The Great Wines of Vosne-Romanée
“A subtle touch of wood serves as a suitably discreet backdrop for the exceptionally floral-infused and perfumed nose that offers up additional notes of spice, red currant and pekoe tea. The round, refined and lilting if impressively intense flavors are blessed with excellent punch and power while exhibiting a lovely salinity on the built-to-age finish. This refined effort is very classy, indeed the word Zen comes up mind.”
95 points, Allen Meadows, Burghound.com, Issue 73
“The 2016 La Grande Rue Grand Cru was not affected by the frost, thankfully. This is (again) attested by the aromatics that convey a sense of joie de vivre and energy. Does that come from the relief of being spared? It offers wonderful red cherries, blood orange and yuzu scents combing with minerals. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannin, impressive depth and grip in the mouth. Maybe this year it does not quite convey the same aristocratic personality as the Grands Echézeaux but there is real muscle and depth on the finish. Give this four or five years in barrel at least.”
92-94 points, Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate #234

Reviews

“This is clearly a wine of distinction – Vosne-Romanée royalty if you prefer – and there is no royalty higher in the Côte de Nuits. It is elegant, endlessly complex, and I could spend the whole night sniffing the glass.”
Bill Nanson, The Finest Wines of Burgundy
“La Grande Rue is a multifaceted wine, combining finesse, elegance, refinement, good if not huge power, a highly scented spice-infected nose and beautiful harmony of expression, all wrapped up in a wonderfully seductive and satiny finish. In particular, it can deliver succulent richness, even opulence and mature into pure velvet and silk.”
Allen Meadows, The Pearl of the Côte - The Great Wines of Vosne-Romanée
“A subtle touch of wood serves as a suitably discreet backdrop for the exceptionally floral-infused and perfumed nose that offers up additional notes of spice, red currant and pekoe tea. The round, refined and lilting if impressively intense flavors are blessed with excellent punch and power while exhibiting a lovely salinity on the built-to-age finish. This refined effort is very classy, indeed the word Zen comes up mind.”
95 points, Allen Meadows, Burghound.com, Issue 73
“The 2016 La Grande Rue Grand Cru was not affected by the frost, thankfully. This is (again) attested by the aromatics that convey a sense of joie de vivre and energy. Does that come from the relief of being spared? It offers wonderful red cherries, blood orange and yuzu scents combing with minerals. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannin, impressive depth and grip in the mouth. Maybe this year it does not quite convey the same aristocratic personality as the Grands Echézeaux but there is real muscle and depth on the finish. Give this four or five years in barrel at least.”
92-94 points, Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate #234

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