Domaine Rossignol Trapet, Chambertin Grand Cru AOC
2017, Bourgogne, France
Classification Chambertin Grand Cru AOC
Colour / Type Red
Bottle size 75cl
Alcohol 14%
Grape Pinot Noir
Drinking window 2032
Average score 90
This wine domaine was created through the marriage of Jacques Rossignol of Volnay with Mado Trapet from a noted Gevrey-Chambertin family. Their sons Nicolas and David Rossignol have managed the domaine since 1990, moving subsequently to biodynamic farming. The first experiments started in 1997 with their Chapelle-Chambertin, followed by conversion of the whole domaine in 2004. As a result, the wines are both finer and purer than they used to be. This parcel of 40-year-old vines is protected from the wind and gets quite a lot of sunshine. The grapes are sorted first in the vineyard and then on a sorting table at the winery. They are mostly destalked, cooled down, then given two to three weeks of fermentation. There may be a little lees-stirring in a tank before the wines go to barrel. There is no racking unless reductive flavors require it. The domaine Rossignol-Trapet uses 10% percent new oak for its Beaune Teurons, which comes from a 2ha plot situated next to a small limestone cliff which reflects the heat on to their vines, 25 to 30 percent for premier cru Gevrey-Chambertin, 50 percent for the grand crus with perhaps a little more for Le Chambertin. The most recent development is to offer separately its various small holdings of premier cru Gevrey such as Cherbaudes and Combottes. Their wines are elegant, refined, and pure, reflective of their desirable terroir.
About Domaine Rossignol Trapet
Domaine Rossignol Trapet is a family-owned wine estate located in Gevrey-Chambertin, within Burgundy’s prestigious Côte de Nuits. The domaine was established in 1990, when brothers Nicolas and David Rossignol, the sixth generation of a winemaking family, took charge of their share of the family vineyards. Their philosophy emphasizes respect for terroir and the environment, leading them to convert their 14 hectares of vineyards to biodynamic viticulture in 2004. This approach, certified by Demeter, reflects their commitment to producing wines that authentically express the unique soils and microclimates of their parcels.
The vineyard holdings of Domaine Rossignol Trapet are impressive, spanning several of Gevrey-Chambertin’s most esteemed sites. The domaine produces wines from village-level plots, premier crus such as Petite Chapelle, Clos Prieur, and Cherbaudes, and grand crus including Latricières-Chambertin, Chapelle-Chambertin, and Chambertin itself. The vines, some of which are over 60 years old, are tended with meticulous care, with ploughing by horse, manual harvests, and minimal intervention in the vineyard and cellar. Cover crops and biodiversity are encouraged to maintain healthy soils and balanced ecosystems.
In the cellar, the Rossignol brothers focus on gentle extraction and the preservation of fruit purity. Fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts, and the wines are matured in French oak barrels, with a restrained use of new wood to avoid masking the character of each terroir. The resulting wines are noted for their elegance, finesse, and aromatic complexity, with supple tannins and the ability to age gracefully. Each cuvée reflects the subtle differences of soil, aspect, and microclimate, from the mineral-driven Latricières-Chambertin to the power and depth of Chambertin.
Domaine Rossignol Trapet’s dedication to biodynamics and traditional craftsmanship has earned them a loyal following among Burgundy enthusiasts. The wines are highly sought after for their transparency, vibrancy, and sense of place. The brothers’ ongoing quest for balance in the vineyard and cellar yields Pinot Noir wines that are precise, nuanced, and true to their origins. The domaine’s commitment to sustainability and authenticity ensures that each bottle offers a genuine reflection of Gevrey-Chambertin’s storied terroirs.