La Grande Rue, Domaine Lamarche 2016

The 2016 La Grande Rue Grand Cru has a very pure, almost pastille-like bouquet with copious red cherry fruit mixed with crushed strawberry and a little cassis. La Grande Rue? [Post script: Bingo!] The palate is very pretty with fine-grain tannin. This is surfeit with freshness and vitality, although it does not quite have the depth and structure of other Grand Crus from the appellation. It does fan out towards the finish. The persistence, and the saline aftertaste are very appealing. Excellent. Tasted blind at the 2016 Burgfest tasting.

A subtle touch of wood serves as a suitably discreet backdrop for the exceptionally floral-infused nose that offers up additional notes of spice, red currant and pekoe tea. The rounder and slightly less intense flavors are still blessed with excellent punch and power while exhibiting more salinity on the built-to-age finish. This is more refined than the Grands Ech but not quite as complex, at least not today. Drink 2031+.