Nicole Lamarche Nuits-Saint-Georges 2022

ABOUT THE PRODUCER:  Nicole Lamarche’s name has become synonymous with finesse and a very light touch in the cellar. Her approach is working exceptionally well in these warmer vintages, and the Domaine’s 2022s are as fine a set of wines as we’ve tasted. Lamarche started picking on September 2^nd. Degrees sit around 12.5%, with only the Grand Cru reaching above 13%. Despite the periods of warmth, she feels that 2022 is “a very Pinot year,” and her lacy, elegant wines back up this assessment. Such purity and finesse, however, do not come at the expense of intensity; this is the beauty of Nicole Lamarche. In the cellar, Lamarche is working with amphora (she has seven and is adding more each year) and this year, she has used roughly 30% whole-bunches in vinification. In short, this is the place if your taste is for fragrant, dashing and ethereal wines. It’s worth summarising the significant changes at this address over the last few years. As of the 2022 vintage, Nicole Lamarche’s cousin, Nathalie Lamarche, along with one other family member, have leased their portion of the Lamarche holdings to Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair (approximately 2.65 hectares), which the Domaine previously exploited. This redrawing of vineyards has left the newly christened Domaine Nicole Lamarche with five hectares of prime Vosne terroir, including all of La Grande Rue. Nicole has also launched a négociant range to complement her Domaine portfolio. This also makes up for lost ground, starting with a few new cuvées in ’21 and expanding to 17 reds and five whites in 2023! We have a few of these lovely wines on offer this year. Lamarche is using the négociant range to work with quality (and exclusively organic) growers and provide a range of delicious, reasonably priced wines in her finesse-driven style. Maintaining that her wines should be for drinking, not speculation. Bibendum