Domaine Francois Lamarche La Croix Rameau Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2012 0,75L

Domaine François Lamarche La Croix Rameau Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru 2012

The Estate

Domaine François Lamarche stands among Vosne-Romanée’s most venerable estates, with family ownership dating back to the late 19th century. The domaine achieved particular renown as the sole proprietor of La Grande Rue, the prestigious Grand Cru monopole positioned between Romanée-Conti and La Tâche. This unique holding cemented the Lamarche family’s place in Burgundy’s aristocracy of wine.

Under the stewardship of François Lamarche and subsequently his descendants, the domaine has maintained traditional winemaking practices while embracing modern viticultural precision. The estate’s philosophy centers on expressing the unique character of each climat through careful viticulture (sustainable farming with organic principles), meticulous sorting, and minimal-intervention winemaking. Extended aging in French oak barrels allows the wines to develop complexity while preserving the delicate fruit and terroir expression for which Vosne-Romanée is celebrated.

The domaine’s Premier Cru holdings, including La Croix Rameau, benefit from the same attention to detail and winemaking expertise applied to their Grand Cru parcels. These wines offer exceptional quality and aging potential at more accessible price points, making them favorites among collectors seeking authentic expressions of Vosne-Romanée terroir.

La Croix Rameau: Premier Cru Elegance

La Croix Rameau occupies a privileged position within the Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru hierarchy, located on the slopes above the village where limestone-rich soils and optimal exposure create ideal conditions for Pinot Noir of exceptional finesse. The climat’s name references an ancient cross (croix) that once marked this vineyard, linking the site to centuries of viticultural tradition.

The terroir features classic Côte de Nuits geology: limestone bedrock with varying proportions of clay and marl, providing excellent drainage while retaining sufficient moisture during dry periods. The eastern exposure captures gentle morning sunlight, allowing gradual ripening that preserves aromatic complexity and natural acidity. These geological and climatic factors produce wines that balance power with elegance—a hallmark of great Vosne-Romanée.

Domaine Lamarche’s parcels in La Croix Rameau benefit from old vines and meticulous viticultural practices. Hand-harvesting at optimal maturity, rigorous sorting, and gentle handling ensure that only the finest fruit makes it to the cellar. The resulting wines capture both the Premier Cru’s noble character and the Lamarche style: refined, structured, and built for graceful aging.

The 2012 Vintage

The 2012 vintage in Burgundy presented challenges that ultimately rewarded skilled, quality-focused producers. An uneven growing season—marked by spring frost, summer hail in some areas, and variable weather during flowering—naturally reduced yields across the Côte d’Or. However, a spectacular late summer and autumn brought ideal ripening conditions, with warm days and cool nights allowing Pinot Noir to achieve excellent phenolic maturity while maintaining fresh acidity.

Critics initially viewed 2012 with uncertainty, but time has revealed the vintage’s true quality. The wines possess classical proportions: medium-bodied with bright fruit, vibrant acidity, and refined tannins. They lack the sheer power of warmer vintages like 2009 or 2015, but offer superior elegance, terroir transparency, and aging potential. For Premier Cru Burgundy, 2012 delivered wines of exceptional balance and charm.

Now at 12+ years of age, the finest 2012 Burgundies have entered their optimal drinking window. Primary fruit has evolved into complex secondary and early tertiary aromatics (forest floor, mushroom, dried flowers) while retaining core vibrancy. The vintage’s natural acidity and refined structure ensure graceful evolution for another decade or more.

Tasting Experience

• At 12 years of age, the wine opens with compelling aromatic complexity: red cherry, raspberry, and cranberry intertwine with forest floor, dried rose petals, and subtle notes of cinnamon and clove. Earthy undertones of mushroom and damp leaves add savory depth, while delicate mineral notes—wet stone and iron—reflect the limestone terroir. The bouquet is refined rather than powerful, inviting contemplation.
• The palate reveals classic Vosne-Romanée character: medium-bodied with silky texture and remarkable elegance. Red fruit flavors (cherry, raspberry, pomegranate) are complemented by secondary complexity—hints of sous-bois, tea leaf, and exotic spice. The tannins, now fully integrated, provide structure without astringency, while vibrant acidity lifts the wine and provides energy.
• Mid-palate depth showcases the Premier Cru terroir: concentrated yet refined, with layers of flavor that unfold gradually. The wine demonstrates the vintage’s hallmark balance—neither too powerful nor too delicate, but perfectly proportioned for food pairing and extended cellaring. Savory notes of cured meat and black tea add interest alongside the wine’s core of red fruit.
• The finish extends with grace, leaving impressions of cherry pit, dried flowers, and fine minerals. The wine has reached a beautiful stage of maturity where youthful exuberance has given way to developed complexity while retaining freshness and vitality. It offers immediate pleasure while suggesting further evolution for patient collectors.
• This is Premier Cru Burgundy at its most authentic: a wine that prioritizes elegance over power, terroir expression over winemaking manipulation, and aging potential over immediate impact. For those seeking the classic Vosne-Romanée experience without Grand Cru pricing, La Croix Rameau 2012 delivers exceptional quality and drinking pleasure.

Service & Food Pairing

Serve at 16-17°C in medium-sized Burgundy stems to showcase the wine’s aromatic complexity and refined texture. Decant 30-45 minutes before service to integrate the wine’s components and awaken its bouquet. At this age, sediment is likely; pour gently to avoid disturbing it. Allow 10-15 minutes in the glass before the first sip—the wine continues to open over 2-3 hours, revealing new dimensions throughout the evening.

Exceptional pairings:

• Roasted poultry: duck breast with cherry sauce, roasted chicken with wild mushrooms
• Grilled salmon with herb butter and roasted vegetables
• Wild mushroom risotto with aged Parmesan and truffle oil
• Grilled lamb chops with rosemary and Provençal vegetables
• Soft-ripened French cheeses: Brillat-Savarin, Chaource, or younger Époisses

Cellaring & Evolution

At 12+ years from vintage, this wine has entered its optimal drinking window and will continue offering pleasure for another 5-8 years under proper storage conditions. The 2012 vintage’s excellent acidity and refined structure, combined with Domaine Lamarche’s traditional winemaking, ensure graceful evolution.

Those opening bottles now will experience the wine at beautiful maturity—tertiary complexity fully developed while retaining vibrant fruit and fresh acidity. Patient collectors may continue cellaring until 2030-2032, though the wine has likely reached its plateau of perfection. Beyond that point, it will evolve more slowly, with fruit gradually giving way to savory tertiary characteristics.

Store horizontally in a dark, vibration-free environment at 12-14°C with 70-75% humidity. At this age, examine bottles for proper fill level (mid-to-high shoulder is acceptable) and ensure consistent storage history. Premier Cru Burgundy of this age and quality deserves careful handling.

Collector’s Note: Domaine François Lamarche Premier Cru wines offer exceptional value for collectors seeking authentic Vosne-Romanée expressions from a historic estate. While the domaine’s La Grande Rue Grand Cru commands premium pricing, their Premier Cru holdings like La Croix Rameau deliver comparable quality and aging potential at a fraction of the cost. This 2012, now drinking at peak maturity, provides immediate gratification for those seeking classic mature Burgundy. At current pricing, it represents outstanding value compared to more famous (and expensive) producers from the same appellation.