(Please see my overview of the 2018 vintage in Burgundy here.)
Harvesting began on 7 September. Quantities were "correct" and malolactic fermentations were normal — beginning in December and proceeding slowly. Thirty percent whole clusters in each wine. The highest alcohol is 13.6%.
Lamarche went for elegance an restraint in this vintage, and it paid off, especially at the top end.
2018 Bourgogne Pinot Noir
Pretty red cherry fruit in light body, some tannin on finish. (86-88)
2018 Bourgogne-Hautes Côtes de Nuits Pinot Noir
A bit more weight than Bourgogne, but still medium-light. Red cherry fruits. Average vine age is 40-45 years. (86-88)
2018 Vosne-Romanée
Spicy, floral nose. Elegant, medium-light, good length, spicy red fruits in mouth. (88-90)
2018 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Chaumes
Dark fruits, elegant, medium-light body, good length, silky texture. (89-91)
2018 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots
Darker fruit, Suchots truffliiness, good density, structure, depth. Good balance. (91-93)
2018 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru La Croix Rameau
Dense, sensual, dark fruits, chewy texture. Good length. (91-93)
2018 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Malconsorts
Good structure that is typical of Malconsorts, with tannins, depth, dark fruits. Length. Good restraint, will take aging. (92-95)
2018 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Cras
Smooth, silky texture typical of Les Cras. Spices, red fruits, depth. A little four-square now, but should develop. Tannins on the finish. (91-94)
2018 Echézeaux
Spiced red fruits nose. Sensual texture, good depth, medium weight, length, spicy red and dark fruits. (93-95)
2018 Clos-de-Vougeot
Darker fruits, tannins, but still finesse for Clos de Vougeot. Round in mouth, but needs some time to resolve tannins, good depth. (92-95)
2018 Grands-Echézeaux
Typical truffly dark fruit nose, also some floral aspects.Medium-weight, some power here, excellent depth, dark fruits. A real success. (94-96)
2018 La Grande Rue
Spiced nose with red fruits. Depth, richness, balance, elegance, length, dark fruits. Clearly the best in the cellar and a top wine by any standard. (95-98)