More 2016 impressions and insights – Drouhin and Lamarche

I continue my quest through the 2016 Burgundies … to find more delightful wines and more variation in style and quality.

First out Maison Drouhin – a large selection presented by Veronique Drouhin. There are some real gems here and a lot of fine wines.

As for the gems some of these are from the areas hit by the frost – extra level of intensity in these low yield wines. Also the Gevreys are showing very beautifully – it seems to be a very fine vintage for the Gevrey-Chambertin appellation.

A few truly delightful whites should be mentioned – The Clos de Mouches blanc is magnificent – and the Chassagne-Montrachet Morgot Marquis de Laguiche is a true gem. These wines do deserve a lot of acclaim – classic in the best sense of the word.

I will return with notes and recommendations from the visit at Drouhin – a generous and interesting tasting.

Tasting of the 2016s at Lamarche

Next stop Vosne – and a tasting with Nicole Lamarche, who showed the 2016 lineup – and a few 2015s.

The 2016s are refined and elegant – no new oak used here in the 2016 vintage, letting the fine and pure 2016 fruit shine.

Moderate variation in the quality (relative to level) – although some 2016 benefitted from the low yields in the area touched by the frost.

Also here a fine Clos de Vougeot – confirming that 2016 is indeed a fine year for Clos de Vougeot.

Comparing 2015 and 2016 (La Grande Rue and Malconsort) show that the 2015 is the bigger vintage – and that Nicole have made some very elegant 2015s. The 2016s are also very fine indeed – with a more delicate expression and power. Two quite contrasting vintages – but stylewise related.

Notes will follow.