Marchand & Burch masterclass

[Waiters Friend]

G’day

I had the pleasure of attending a masterclass of Marchand and Burch’s Australian and French collections. The event took place at Lamont’s in Cottesloe, and as usual, JJ and the team looked after us smoothly and professionally.

The event was hosted by David Stredwick of Burch Family Wines. David holds a Master of Bourgogne qualification, and his extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for Burgundy was on display. Indeed, this was the most informative and detailed masterclass I have attended at Lamont’s.

The Marchand and Burch wines come from two countries – Australia (the Mount Barrow vineyard in Mount Barker, W.A.) and France (Burgundy). It’s a partnership between Jeff and Amy Burch (Australia) and Pascal Marchand (Burgundy, based in Nuits St Georges).

The event commenced with three chardonnays:

Marchand and Burch Villages Chardonnay 2024 (Mount Barrow – Dijon clones): Pale lemon colour. From a warm and compressed vintage, this shows lemon, grapefruit and white peach on the nose, with little obvious oak. There’s more lemon, nectarine and peach on the palate, and the oak (33% new) kicks in a little here. Good supporting acid (not at all sharp) and there’s a slightly creamy texture. Medium length and a good wine to set the standard for what followed.

Marchand and Burch Mount Barker Chardonnay 2023 (Mount Barrow – Dijon clones): From an excellent chardonnay vintage in W.A. Pale lemon colour. The nose opens with a little struck match, and followed by white peach and nectarine – a little richer hand the previous wine. There’s more of the stone fruits on the palate, with nectarine, yellow and pink peaches and a touch of citrus. There’s slightly buttery, creamy texture, and the finish is lightly longer than the previous wine. Well balanced, and an impressive wine.

Marchand and Burch Savigny-Les-Beaune Les Vergelesses Premier Cru 2022 (Burgundy): Pale lemon. This was slightly restrained initially, and opened to show peach, nectarine, a little honeysuckle and cashew nut. The palate was fuller, with tangy lemon, grapefruit and more prominent peaches and nectarine. The texture of this wine is both lees and oak-influenced and is complex and creamy. This is more savoury than the Australian wines. Good length and will improve with time.

Two Australian Pinot Noirs followed, both from the Mount Barrow vineyard:

Marchand and Burch Villages Pinot Noir 2024: Pale garnet – the lightest of the reds. A delicate nose of strawberry and light red cherries. The palate is juicy, with modest fine tannins and shows similar delicacy of flavour.

Marchand and Burch Mount Barrow Pinot Noir 2023: Garnet colour. The nose is fuller than the previous wine, with more cherries (red and black) than strawberry (although this is present too). There’s also a little spice, and a little stalkiness. The palate shows slightly grippy tannins (a little weightier than the previous wine, but still fine), and a little more palate weight. A little earthiness rounds out the medium finish. I’ve has most vintages of this wine over the past decade or more, and I think this will be one of the better ones.
The remainder of the tasting focussed entirely on the French Burgundy wines:

Marchand and Burch Cotes-Du-Nuits Villages 2022: Garnet colour. A fragrant nose, with rose petal, bright cherries, spices (cardamon, cinnamon) and a little mushroom. The palate is flavourful without heaviness, with red fruits, modest tannins and cleansing acid. A little smoky oak, and some evidence of whole bunches in the ferment add complexity. Medium length and an excellent introduction to the French collection.

Marchand and Burch Beaune Clos Du Roi Premier Cru 2022: I’ve enjoyed (and cellared) a number of wines from this vineyard, and from other producers as well as Marchand and Burch. This was my note from a recent tasting: "Lots of dark plums and red cherries, with a delightful savoury, sappy character that appealed to me greatly. Medium to high acid, and more of those fine grained tannins that you sense on the gums. Some wet leaves and the first signs of leather. Good length and my wine of the night."
Slightly darker colour than the previous wine. Slightly more intense nose, with mushrooms, dark and red cherry, rose petal, cinnamon and some earthiness. The palate shows plenty of bright red fruits, and slightly higher acid than the previous wine. There’s more mushroom and more than a hint of menthol. Slightly grippy fine tannins and overall, very well balanced.

Marchand and Burch Beaune Clos Du Roi Premier Cru 2020: Slightly lighter than the 2022. There’s dark cherries, allspice, a little liquorice, and freshly turned soil. The palate is more savoury than the previous wines, with higher acid, some stalkiness, moderate tannins integrating nicely, and medium length.

Marchand and Burch Vosne Romanee 2008: Pale garnet with bricking at the rim. This was the second time in recent months that I have tasted this wine. This was my note from November 2024:
“The second vintage for this producer. Garnet colour. An intense and complex nose with the fruit taking a back seat to five spice, cinnamon (lots), mushroom, forest floor and leather. There’s fine, drying tannins and moderate acid. Developed fruits included cherries, raspberries alongside some savoury notes. Medium length only, and I would have liked to see this wine a fraction younger.”
Today’s masterclass presented a better bottle. Similar tasting note but fresher fruits, less cinnamon, fully integrated tannins, and soft acid. Medium and harmonious finish.

Marchand and Burch Nuits-Saint-Georges 2022: My note from a recent tasting: "This is fuller and a little richer than the Clos Du Roi, with dark cherries and plums, a hint of mocha, and some spicy notes (star anise or five spice). The palate shows more cherries and plums, good supporting acid, and more of those gum-gripping tannins. Considerable length."
Garnet colour. A perfumed nose, with red and dark cherries, allspice, a little mocha and cedar. There’s more cherries on the palate, along with mushroom, earth, more mocha and cedar. Tannins are fine and modest, with freshening acid and reasonable length. This is a bright young wine that bodes well for the future.

Marchand and Burch Nuits-Saint-Georges 2019: Similar to the 2022, and staring to show signs of development. It’s less perfumed, but the fruits have filled out somewhat. More forest floor and spice (nutmeg), and tannins are integrating well. Slightly more than medium acid, and good length.

Marchand and Burch Savigny-Les-Beaune Les Lavieres Premier Cru 2022: Garnet colour. Lots of red fruits on the nose (strawberry, red cherry, raspberry), some five spice, dried herbs and a touch of mushroom. The palate is more savoury and fills out a little with darker cherries, fine but drying tannins, and supportive acid. Good length.

Marchand and Burch Morey-Saint-Denis Les Millandes Premier Cru 2022: Dark garnet. A fuller nose, with red and black berries, raspberry, lifted five spice, and perfumed, including rose petal. The palate is also richer, with ripe dark cherries, some vanilla and cedar, gentle tannins and cleansing acid. Considerable length and palate weight without being heavy. An excellent finish to the masterclass.

Many thanks to David and Burch Family Wines for such a comprehensive a representative selection of wines, and to Lamonts for yet another superb event.

Cheers
Allan