Domaine Trapet-Rochelandet … the lesser-known Trapet

There’s Trapet, and then there’s the less-well-known Trapet-Rochelandet …

In Gevrey-Chambertin, the relatively unknown Domaine Trapet-Rochlandet has an interesting, substantial portfolio of vineyards, including a plot in the delightful Ruchottes-Chambertin.

In July, I had the pleasure of visiting the estate, located in the heart of Gevrey-Chambertin just opposite the Rotisserie du Chambertin on the Rue du Chambertin.

At the head of the domaine is Laurent Rochelandet, who has taken over the estate from his parents – changing the name from Domaine François Trapet (his father’s side) to Trapet-Rochelandet, as it includes some vines from Laurent’s mother’s side as well.

The estate has gradually expanded its production since 2013, when they began to bottle more of the harvest themselves, rather than selling to negociants.

The production is now up to speed, and there is still room for expansion!

The estate’s vineyards

The estate has the following wines and vineyards. Please note that some of the grapes are still sold to negociants, so while the lineup is extensive the quantities can be small for some of the wines.

Reds:

• Bourgogne Pinot Noir
  Gevrey-Chambertin “Vieilles Vignes”
• Gevrey-Chambertin “Les Carougeots”
• Gevrey-Chambertin “Les Champs Chenys”
• Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru “La Petite Chapelle”
• Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru “Bel Air”
• Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru

Whites

• Bourgogne Aligoté
• Bourgogne Chardonnay

The style of the wines

I had previously tasted only a few of the wines from this estate, and their quality is fine – although yields have sometimes been a bit on the ample side.

The wines’ quality and style reveal good raw material, and the limited use of new oak in many of the wines permits fine transparency.

Over the last years it seems the yields have been reduced somewhat, and this has given the wines more intensity and focus. These are enjoyable wines.

So let’s go …

First up was the Gevrey-Chambertin “Vieilles Vignes” 2018: rich and quite intense, as the vintage provides excellent stuffing even with higher yields. A bit on the hot side, but without showing the slightly overripe notes found in some 2018s. Nicely balanced entry-level village.

(Drink from 2025) – Good – (86 – 87p) – Tasted 04/07/2019

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Next up, the Gevrey-Chambertin “Les Carougeots” 2018 has a stronger mineral note. This wine comes from a plot just south of the village, not far from the estate, and is more focused, with significantly more energy and charm. Fine red berries, both on the nose and the palate. This has a quite delicate and vivacious note while being both intense and very enjoyable. Significantly better than the V.V. in my view.

(Drink from 2028) – Very Good – (88 – 89p) – Tasted 04/07/2019

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Gevrey-Chambertin “Les Champs Chenys” 2018 is a further step up, offering even more refinement and delicacy. Or should I say step “down,” as this vineyard is located just below Charmes-Chambertin. The grander terroir offers more energy and vivid balance to this wine, producing an excellent Gevrey village. Darker fruit here, with blackcurrant and other dark fruits. Very enjoyable and charming.

(Drink from 2026) – Very Good – (89 – 91p) – Tasted 04/07/2019

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The Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru “Bel Air” 2018 is showing an airy, mineral tone, a characteristic of the vineyard that really expresses itself in a hot year like 2018. Elegant and cool, this comes from the area just below the forest at the top of the Gevrey slope. As usual with this terroir, there are loads of red forest berries; I adore this terroir and enjoy the wine. This is one of the cool vineyards to look for in 2018 – and the mineral notes are quite fabulous.

(Drink from 2028) – Fine – (91 – 92p) – Tasted 04/07/2019