Domaine Lamarche Côte de Nuits Villages 2023

Domaine François Lamarche sits in the Côte de Nuits, the northern half of Burgundy's Côte d'Or and the spiritual home of Pinot Noir. The estate dates to 1797 and is now led by Nicole Lamarche, who farms organically. This wine carries the Côte de Nuits-Villages appellation, drawn from vineyards at the edges of the great communes, and it is made entirely from Pinot Noir. The Côte d'Or's defining feature is its limestone and marl slopes, which drain well and give the grape its perfume, fine tannin and bright acidity, while the cool continental climate ensures a slow ripening that preserves freshness. Organic farming keeps the soil alive and the fruit expressive. The wine ages in oak barrels, where gentle oxygen exchange softens the tannins and adds a discreet spice without covering the delicate fruit. It pours a bright, translucent ruby. The nose is fragrant, with ripe raspberry, red cherry and plum over rose, earth and a touch of forest floor. The palate is medium bodied and silky at 12.5 per cent, with fine tannins, fresh acidity and a long, savoury finish. This is classic Burgundian Pinot Noir, delicate and precise. Serve at 15 to 16 degrees in a large glass, with roast poultry or game.