I was ready and looking forward – my second visit of Domaine Trapet – and my last visit of the November 2017 tour of Burgundy.
A great pleasure to visit Jean-Louis Trapet, as he is one of visionary frontrunners of biodynamic viticulture in Burgundy.
For further background see my article from the visit last year when I tasted the magnificent 2015s from Domaine Trapet.
I will however dwell a bit with the biodynamic approach – as this in my view is quite important for the quality of the wines in the 2016 vintage.
Truly and deeply Biodynamic
Jean-Lous Trapet is one of the most dedicated biodynamic winemakers in the region and measured by certificates it’s in fact the most bio committed estate in Burgundy, as Jean-Louis Trapet holds both the Demeter and a Biodyvin biodynamic certification – hence also a organic Agriculture Biologique certification as the basis for the Biodyvin certification.
The estate has been working biodynamically since 1996 and was certified in 2009 – so 20 years of knowledge has been accumulated at this estate – giving Jean-Louis a great insight in this area.
I do feel that biodynamic viticulture influence both the quality and style of the wines … although it’s difficult to both explain and especially prove this scientifically.
Some wines – especially organic and biodynamic wines – seem to have a certain inner energy and tension, that enhance the feeling of both balance, detail and refinement in a zen like way.
The wines from Jean-Louis Trapet has this airy inner balance and tension, and while some of wines “glow” more than others, I do feel that he has taken things to a much higher level during the last 5 to 10 years, and deserves to be mentioned among the very top names of the appellation.
Regarding the 2016 vintage – the vines hit by the frost were stressed, and this have in some cases influenced the wines – that as a consequence seems nervous and tense – somehow lacking a bit of inner balance.
My observations indicate that the biodynamic wines have coped better with this stress – and therefore are less affected by the the frost damage. This is not scientific – but my observations only – and this certainly apply to the wines of Domaine Trapet.
So lets take a closer look at the 2016s from Trapet.
Tasting notes from the visit on November 17th 2017
Domaine Trapet lost a lot due to the April 2016 frost and the following period of mildew. The estate is 50% down on yields in total. The lineup is quite reduced due to the frost – in 2015 Jean-Louis made three 1er crus from Gevrey-Chambertin only one was made in the 2016 vintage.
You need to login as a Premium subscriber to read the rest of this article. If you are not a Premium subscriber, use the subscribe function and sign-up.
>Tasting Notes for this producer
- Domaine Trapet, Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 1989 October 14, 2015
- Domaine Trapet, Latricieres Chambertin 2012 January 18, 2015
- Domaine Trapet, Gevrey Chambertin 2012 January 17, 2015
- Domaine Trapet Pere et Fils, Latriciere Chambertin 1991 November 6, 2013
- Domaine Trapet, Gevrey Chambertin Petit Chapelle 2004 June 17, 2012
Related articles
- Visit to Domaine Trapet – tasting the 2019sDomaine Trapet is a place of dynamic change in recent years as Jean-Loius Trapet brings his sons to the forefront of the Gevrey-based estate. Jean-Louis is still a young man (the same age as your correspondent), and while he has never been afraid of change, the move to organic viticulture followed by the implementation of ...
- Domaine Trapet on the high wireDomaine Trapet, one of the true pioneers of biodynamic viticulture, is now taking a giant leap by completely changing its pruning system and canopy management in order to cope with global warming. While Domaine Leroy is mainly using higher trellising, Jean-Louis Trapet and his sons Pierre and Louis are going with the full monty. There are two ...
- Terroir Insight: Domaine Trapet Latricières-ChambertinWhile Chambertin is certainly the top wine of Domaine Trapet’s range, its Latricières-Chambertin also has a special place in my Burgundy-loving heart. Latricières is perhaps the most accommodating of the grands crus to rising summer temperatures. Still, it does need both patience and plenty of time, as it is among the coolest and most backward ...
- Visit to Domaine Trapet – tasting the 2018s from caskI have been following the progress at Domaine Trapet for years. When I tasted the 2010s I got really excited, and was thrilled by the airy lightness of the wines’ character. (This is how I normally start an article…) But these are not normal times. Global warming, Covid-19 – the world is changing, and no one ...
- Viticultural changes at TrapetDomaine Trapet has for many years been at the forefront of pinot noir viticulture in Bourgogne, implementing biodynamic methods earlier than most. Jean-Louis Trapet took biodynamics seriously – and to the next level – when other producers were less courageous and maintained traditional, old-school growing methods. Now Jean-Louis’ sons Pierre and Louis are involved in the Trapet ...
