TN: Marchand & Burch tasting 30 August 2024

[Waiters Friend]

G’day

I was fortunate enough to be invited to a tasting of Marchand &Burch wines at Alliance Francaise in Perth. The tasting was comprehensively hosted by David Stredwick of Burch Family Wines, with plenty of vineyard and historical information. David certainly knows his subject!

Being a French institution, Alliance Francaise also provided accompanying food for each pair of wines. The food was sourced from a top local French restaurant (Chez Pierre) and was high quality.

Marchand and Burch make wines from the Great Southern in WA, and Burgundy in France. We looked at three wines from each country, with the Australian wines first:

Marchand & Burch Village Rose` 2024: Pinot Noir dominant, with some Grenache, Shiraz and Pinot Gris. Pale salmon in colour. Delicate and slightly sweet nose, with rose petal, bright light cherry, pear, musk stick and raspberry. The palate shows more musk stick, raspberry, cola, and sweet candy. There’s juicy acidity and a clean finish. A good summer afternoon wine.

Marchand & Burch Mount Barker Chardonnay 2023: Pale to medium colour. Cedary oak initially on the nose, with yellow peach and nectarine emerging with some swirling. The palate shows more (slightly tart or under-ripe) nectarine, pink grapefruit and lemon curd, with strong supporting acid and slight grip or mouthfeel. Medium length and got better over time.

Marchand & Burch Mount Barrow Pinot Noir 2023: Garnet colour. Strawberries, ripe red cherries and five spice on the nose. Lots of red cherries on the palate, with fine, supple tannins, spices, and nutmeg. Medium length and prominent acid.

Then onto the French wines, all Village level red Burgundies.

Marchand & Burch Gevrey-Chambertin 2020: Ruby bordering on crimson. An initially delicate nose, with dark and red cherries, mushrooms, and forest floor / earthiness. The palate has more red cherries, spices, mushrooms / truffle, charcuterie, and a touch of menthol. Medium to long finish.

Marchand & Burch Chambolle-Musigny 2020: Crimson. A slightly stalky nose, with wild mushroom, dark plums and cherries, nutmeg and spices. A lovely soft and full palate, powerfully fruited, with more earth, mushroom and charcuterie. Very fine tannins. My favourite wine of the tasting.

Marchand & Burch Nuits Saint-Georges 2020: Dark crimson colour. Less perfumed than the Chambolle Musigny, with more savoury, spice and earthy elements. The palate is rich, with juicy acidity, and some velvety tannins providing texture. Medium to long finish, only just behind the Chambolle Musigny in my estimation.

An excellent tasting, and a great way to spend an early Friday evening.

Cheers
Allan