Five superb wines from Trapet including Chambertin

'Wine is one of the most civilized things in existence. In my capacity as a wine grower, the path of gentleness and respect enables me to make my way towards the highest degree of expression of my soils. This gentleness, chosen with due consideration, often follows the paths of tradition. It travels across the vineyard. From first buds to harvesting, the grape is accompanied but never forced.' (From the domaine's web site)

Domaine Trapet, even if highly sought after, are one of those domains I found strange that aren't even higher on the Burgundian stratosphere. The wines are so pure, so elegant, so vibrant, so tender, layered, nuanced, they can't hide faults. They're way to transparent. The length on some of the Chambertin's I've been lucky enough to encounter lasts for minutes. Tender and delicate. Maybe some people oversee them, or ignore them, because of the frailty. It's wine for contemplation and meditation. It's like Miro's painting: 'Person throwing stone at a bird'. It has an elegance and there's simplification of everything, still its so pure, and perfect. If you change any line, any colour, any texture of the paint, you ruin it.


The five wines tasted (actually six) follow below. One from Alsace where the whife of the owner comes from if I understood correctly. All wines are special imports from Moestue Grape Selections at Vinmonopolet.

2008 Trapet Riquewihr Riesling:
Pale lemon yellow, elegant and fruity, apples and ripe lemons. Lovely and fresh acidity, balanced, fresh and lively for Alsace, fresh and cool fruit feel, one would almost go for a German one blind. 86

2008 Domaine Trapet Gevrey-Chambertin Ostrea:
(ca 350,-) Bright pale garnet. Fresh nose of red berries, strawberries, pure. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant and lovely balance and body. Long. 88

2007 Domaine Trapet Gevrey-Chambertin Ostrea:
(ca 350,-) Bright pale garnet. Somewhat more subdued, but still very similar next to the 2008. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner body, elegant and long. 87

2008 Domaine Trapet Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Prieur:
(ca 550,-) Bright pale garnet. Floral notes and lightly perfumed over strawberries and redcurrant's. Transparent and layered. Fresh and towards high acidity, playful. Ripe tannins, superb elegance, very long. 92

2006 Domaine Trapet Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Prieur:
(ca 625,-) Bright pale garnet: A bit more closed than the 08, and unfortunately the time wasn't there to wait for it. Hope it will next time. Strawberries, pure, just shows a touch of development. Fresh acidity, mellow tannins, elegant and subtle, very long. 91-92

2007 Domaine Trapet Grand Cru Chambertin:
(ca 1100,-) Bright pale garnet. The nose ads another level of refinement, subdued, layered, floral, just a touch perfumed on top, again those pure wild strawberries. Fresh and lively acidity, ripe tannins. Superb balance, pure and refined to its finger tips. Extremely long. 95