We cannot remember tasting a young Grande Rue as magisterial as this, which shows itself to be head and shoulders above the rest of this excellent range. Impressively rich purple in colour, this offers a very pure nose, with great intensity and there is plenty of structure behind without dependence on new wood. Astonishing length of flavour, really complex as well. The nobility of this wine really stands out in 2012.
Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Wine Director

Nathalie Lamarche recalls that the harvest began on 22nd September with acceptable yields in the Vosne-Romanée vineyards, about the same as for 2011. In vinification Nicole Lamarche uses a small proportion of whole bunches, while the amount of new wood in the barrel cellar has been reduced to a maximum of 50% for the Grands Crus. This is the best selection of wines that Nicole Lamarche has produced since taking control of the winemaking in 2007. In short, a really fine range.

The nose of this wine is sensational, very high class as ever, with a touch of refined oak. The wine displays very lifted fruit and is long and delicious with exceptional persistence. La Grande Rue is coming into its own in Nicole’s hands.
Jasper Morris MW, Berrys' Burgundy Director The bad news at Domaine Lamarche is that the 2011 crop is actually less than 2010. We have done our best to keep prices stable, though the price of La Grande Rue has deservedly increased this year. Everything else is good news; Nicole Lamarche, assisted by her cousin Nathalie, is steadily growing in assurance, delivering an excellent set of wines this year. She continues to reduce the amount of new wood used while the vineyards, which are now farmed organically, are getting the care and attention that they need. The future is in good hands.

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This is bright, full purple, with magical detail in the bouquet. The intensity is clearly there, albeit restrained. The wine is backward but nonetheless indicates a sensation of multi-layered detail beneath the pure red fruit background. There are subtleties of texture here too. The wine is currently showing its oak but that will integrate easily enough. The wine has attractive points of acidity, rather than tannin, to complete the balance. Drink 2025-2038.
Jasper Morris MW, Wine Buyer

The Lamarches began on 10th September, picking over six days and realising better yields than in 2014. This year Nicole Lamarche has been able to make exactly the wines which she wants to make, avoiding deep extraction while using around 30 percent whole bunches. Do not expect dark colours and overt concentration, but if your taste is for elegant, floral, eventually ethereal wines then this is the place to be.

Primely situated, La Grande Rue Grand Cru vineyard has produced a very sensuous, mouthfilling wine with delicious length and depth. The fruit is plump but with a clear sense of refinement, whilst a beautiful core of minerality runs right through. This is truly an imperial wine. A delight: a harmonious nose of incense sticks, cranberry and allspice followed by a surprisingly full palate which explodes with spice and warm fruit pudding. The finish is delicate and carries on longer than expected, making it satisfying and very moreish. Drinking 2012-2016.
Ben Upjohn, BBR Fine Wine

Red Wine Of The Vintage
The last few vintages have seen a great surge in quality for this monopole Grand Cru which lies between Romanée-Conti and La Tâche. Very promising!
(Jasper Morris MW, BBR Burgundy Buyer)

The fine, heady bouquet of La Grande Rue is beautifully balanced by a huge volume of multi-layered fruit, which easily matches the oak. This has exceptional intensity, impressive detail and a very long finish; a very exciting prospect indeed.

A pure, fresh, deep purple, this has suggestions of great class on the nose, but nothing really wanting to give. Then it has amazing suavity on the palate, with good structure behind but the fruit dominates the tannins easily. Very long, pure, red fruit and blood orange on the finish. 
Jasper Morris, MW - Wine Buyer

Harvest began 6th October, the grapes in surprisingly healthy condition given the weather, allowing Nicole to use some whole bunches. There is a tiny bit more wine than in 2011 and 2012 but a really poor flowering reduced the crop and spun out the flowering. In vinification, Nicole opted to extract less than in other years. The Grands Crus are sold in wooden cases.