Marchand & Burch Nuits St Georges 2009

Marchand & Burch is an exciting collaboration between leading Burgundian winemaker Pascal Marchand and Howard Park's Jeff Burch (Western Australia). Marchand has impressive credentials, including 15 years with Domaine Comte Armand, transforming it into the greatest estate in Pommard (commune in Burgundy), after which he was headhunted to establish the 'super-domaine' Domaine de la Vougeraie in 1999. His winemaking philosophy revolves around anti-interventionism and biodynamics, and together, Marchand and Burch are making waves. 

A blend of 3 different vineyard plots, Les Allots and Les Lavières situated on the northern part of the Nuits-Saint-Georges appellation, on the Vosne-Romanée side and Les Maladières on the south of Nuits St Georges. Black cherry and red berries, Szechuan pepper and Chai, vanilla and earth. It’s big and full with plenty of oomph and extract, but looks a little too chunky and grippy as a young wine. Decent finish closing with a twist of black tea tannin. Quite a mouthful. May well resolve and even out, might not. Have to give it the benefit of the doubt, though not a wine for now (obviously). Curiously I rated it higher on the first day’s tasting (92-93). 90+ points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front.

There is a definition to the 2009 vintage, enhanced with 30% new oak and massaged with 20% whole bunch, providing a firm, fine, textural tannin structure. Savoury nuances of dried thyme, earth and notes of iron almost reflect the structural shape of Côte de Beaune, though its long tail of black cherry fruit lands it unambiguously in Nuits. With time to unravel, suggestions of cherry kernel, anise, almond and vanilla pod emerge. Patience.
Tyson Stelzer. 94 points.