Grands Echézeaux, Domaine Lamarche 2016

Like the Les Cras, this is firmly reduced today and unreadable. And like the Clos de Vougeot the mid-palate of the slightly larger-scaled flavors is quite supple though this contrasts markedly with the powerful and borderline painfully intense finish that is at once mouth coating and hugely persistent. This appears deceptively approachable but the very firm tannic spine makes it clear that this is going to be a long-distance runner.

Nicole told me she lost between 20% and 25% of the crop of her 2016 Grands Echézeaux Grand Cru this year. This is evident on the nose that has more fruit intensity and joie de vivre than the Echézeaux. It springs forth with Morello cherries, crushed strawberry and minerals, beautifully defined and focused. The palate is very well balanced with supple tannin, impressive depth (obviously not carried by any new oak) with a gentle but insistent grip toward the finish. I love the arching structure of this Grands Echézeaux carried mostly by the fruit tannin, plus the persistence on the finish. Superb.