Domaine Etienne Delarche Bourgogne La Garenne 2022

From the Importer:

Burgundy from Domaine Marius Delarche stands as an example of what great wine can and should be: both memorable and affordable. We first came across the family’s tiny cellars in Pernand-Vergelesses in the early 1990s, and honestly couldn’t believe what we saw, or tasted. Hidden away in this peaceful valley in the shadow of the noble hill of Corton was certainly the Côte de Beaune’s best-kept secret—gorgeous wines made by an honest winemaker for prices that reminded of decades past.

Delarche Burgundy offers a clarity and purity of flavor that is captivating. Whites are creamy and concentrated, taking a cue from grand cru Corton-Charlemagne; reds are spicy and refined, delicious from the moment they’re bottled to years later, when you pop the cork on a perfectly cellared grand cru.

And while the mantle at Delarche has passed from father to son, the charm and authenticity we found way back then still exists today. The family sadly lost Philippe Delarche, winemaker Etienne Delarche’s father, to cancer in 2007. Etienne had returned home in 2003, after finishing his enology degree in Beaune and completing a series of stages at international wineries, to ease the transition.

Vines are cared for as closely to organic principles as possible, but the estate is not certified. All grapes are harvested by hand.

For reds, Pinot Noir grapes are destemmed and fermented on indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks. Wines are aged in French oak barrels, with no more than 30% new wood, for 12 to 15 months.

For whites, Chardonnay grapes are destemmed and pressed delicately in a horizontal, pneumatic press. Juice is fermented on indigenous yeasts in older French oak barrels; the estate’s Corton-Charlemagne is fermented and aged in new oak. All wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered.