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.
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>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
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