The Lamarche family's deep-rooted connection to the vineyards of Vosne Romanee extends back to the 18th century. Officially founded in the early 20th century, the domaine is celebrated for its prestigious Grand Cru offerings, which include Clos de Vougeot, Grands Echezeaux, Echezeaux, and the uniquely owned monopole, La Grande Rue.
La Grande Rue is the crown jewel of the domaine, a 1.65 hectare strip nestled between La Tache and Romanee Conti. Originally a wedding gift to Henri Lamarche in 1933, its first Grand Cru vintage was 1991, although the official classifaction as Grand Cru was until 1992.
As the second smallest Grand Cru after La Romanee, La Grande Rue shares a similar soil composition with its famous neighboring Grand Crus, producing the finest Lamarche wines. In its youth, it presents a promising aroma of red berries and hints of blackcurrant. These complex scents are layered over a wine of depth and elegance, offering length and finesse without heaviness.
Francois Lamarche took over the domaine from his father, Henri, in 1985. He emphasized finesse and tannins, prioritizing charm and elegance over sheer power. His efforts elevated the domaine to star status in Vosne Romanee. After his retirement in 2007, winemaking responsibilities was passed to his daughter, Nicole, who collaborates with her cousin Nathalie, responsible for the commercial aspects.
The sixth generation continues her father's philosophy while introducing refinements. Nicole employs longer cold maceration, aided by advanced cooling equipment. Fermentation occurs in open wooden vats for Grand and Premier Crus, with stainless steel used for other appellations, at around 28°C for 12-15 days on average. The wines age for 18-20 months in casks and are only racked if necessary. Bottling is done without fining or filtration, and the use of new oak is carefully considered. The overall style remains soft and fragrant, with fresh red fruit aromas and gentle tannins.
After several years under Francois's name, the domaine was renamed Nicole Lamarche in 2018. Although Nathalie’s shares and vineyards were transferred to Domaine du Comte Liger Belair in 2022, Nicole has firmly established her reputation, showcasing great promise in her production.