2008 Domaine Trapet Pere & Fils Gevrey Chambertin

Domaine Trapet Pere et Fils is one of the larger estates in Gevrey-Chambertin, in Burgundy. The estate is comprised of 30 acres, including significant parcels in the Grand Cru vineyards of Chambertin, Chapelle-Chambertin and Latricieres-Chambertin. The Trapet family has owned vineyards in the area since 1870, but only started bottling their wine in the 1960s. In the early 1990s the estate was divided in half so a new generation could own their own enterprises. Domaine Trapet became Domaine Trapet Pere et Fils, and it is run by Jean-Louis, son of Jean Trapet. The estate is known for its three Grand Crus, though it also produces several Premier Crus and villages wines.

Côte de Nuits is the northern part of the Côte d’Or and it includes the most famous vineyards and wine communes in the world. There are more Grand Cru appellations in the Côte de Nuits than anywhere else in Burgundy. Of the fourteen communes, or villages in the Côte de Nuits, six produce Grand Cru wines. They are Gevrey-Chambertin, Morey-St.-Denis, Chambolle-Musigny, Vougeot, Flagey-Échezeaux and Vosne-Romanee. Some of the vineyards within the Côte de Nuits are tiny, which adds to their prestige. The fabled Grand Cru vineyard La Romanee is barely two square acres. Altogether there are twenty-four Grand Cru vineyards. The region takes its name from the village of Nuits-Saint-Georges. Côtes de Nuits produces mostly reds from Pinot Noir, and the wines have been in demand for centuries. During the 18th century King Louis XIV’s physician recommended that for his health the king only drink wines from Nuits-Saint-Georges. Like most of Burgundy, the soils of the Côte de Nuit can vary greatly from one vineyard to another, though most are a base soil of limestone mixed with clay, gravel and sand.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.

Jean & Jean-Louis Trapet