La Grande Rue, Domaine Lamarche 2012

There is just enough wood to notice framing the red currant, black cherry and plum aromas that also display pretty floral and spice notes. There is fine concentration, power and punch to the refined and classy middle weight flavors that possess excellent intensity on the balanced, mouth coating, velvety and beautifully persistent finish. This too will need at least a decade plus of bottle age.

The 2012 La Grande Rue Grand Cru is of course, the Lamarche family's centerpiece - the 1.65-hectare monopole that runs parallel to the lane that borders Romanee-Conti and La Romanee, La Tache on the other side. It has a perfumed, vivacious bouquet with open red berry fruit, hints of peppermint and dried rose petals all bursting from the glass. The definition is very fine. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins on the entry. This is very composed, nicely focused, harmonious right to the finish, though like the Grands Echezeaux I would like to see a little more substance develop with time. This is almost approachable now, but it will naturally age well for 15-20 years.

In contrast to virtually all of the prior wines the wood treatment here is not subtle though it's not so prominent as to dominate the red currant, black cherry and plum aromas that also display pretty floral and spice notes. There is fine concentration, power and punch to the refined and classy middle weight flavors that possess excellent intensity on the balanced, mouth coating and beautifully persistent finish. This too will need at least a decade of bottle age.