2015 Domaine Nicole Lamarche, Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru

The 2015 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru has perhaps the most succinct bouquet of 16 peers tasted blind, offering very discreet red and black fruit intermixed with pencil lead, sous-bois and dried orange peel. The palate is very well balanced, displaying a fine bead of acidity, traces of graphite and brown spices, filigreed tannin and a poised, classy finish. This Clos de Vougeot testifies to some top-notch winemaking craftsmanship. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting.

A more deeply pitched and much earthier and gamier array mixes notes of various red berries, floral and enough wood influence to mention. Like the Les Cras the broad-shouldered flavors possess a sleekly muscular mouth feel while delivering excellent length on the firm, serious and youthfully austere finale. I would suggest allowing this at least 7 to 8 years of cellaring first.

Mid crimson. Dark fruited and beautifully fragrant. Silky, supple and juicy with red fruit on the palate. Light but so charming and persistent. (JH)