Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (94-96)

Mid crimson. Nothing in the colour tells you it is a great wine. The nose – ah now it is getting more interesting a mixture of the extra depth and the suggestion of complexity to be discovered. Little red fruits, with precision, some floral notes too. While in the mouth the smiles come readily to my face. The 2021 Chambertin is not the equal of the truly astonishing 2020 but they have made a very good job in a supple, subtle style, with the dainty little red fruits which continue. An assemblage des nuances. Drink from 2029-2038.

Steeped in the tradition and prestige of its terroir, the Tortochot Chambertin Grand Cru 2014 presents a beautifully harmonised symphony of flavours. Crafted in the esteemed vineyards of Domaine Tortochot, a fourth-generation family estate nestled in the heart of Burgundy's Gevrey-Chambertin region, every bottle is an exemplar of organic viticulture. The wine is aged for 18 months in oak barrels, 50% of which are new, to ensure a matchless depth of taste and distinctive character.

The Tortochot Chambertin Grand Cru 2014 bestows upon the palate a balanced fusion of black and red berries, underpinned by a subtle hint of spices representing classic Burgundian subtlety. With a superb ageing potential, this intense, ruby-red Pinot Noir with iridescent flashes of a deep garnet is perfect for those who appreciate fine wines with a charismatic aura. As recognised by the Wine Spectator's 94 point rating, the Tortochot Chambertin Grand Cru 2014 stands firmly amongst the elite.

The Tortochot Chambertin Grand Cru 2015 encapsulates the magnificence of Burgundy's vineyards. Crafted in Gevrey-Chambertin, this Pinot Noir offers an exquisite experience for the discerning palate. Maturing in French oak barrels for 18 months bestows it with a perfect harmony between fruit and wood. Domaine Tortochot, a family-owned estate with four generations of expertise, imbues each harvest with dedication and passion.

The 2015 vintage emerges as a true representation of Tortochot's commitment to tradition and quality. Its deep ruby hue mesmerises before yielding to elegant aromas of blackberries, cherries, and engaging earthy undertones. The palate is treated to rich fruit flavours, well-rounded tannins, and a persistent finish. Every sip is an invitation to discover new layers of complexity and structure. Universally praised, the Tortochot Chambertin Grand Cru 2015 is a testament to the enduring excellence of Burgundy's terroir, promising to evolve beautifully for years to come.

Enjoy the timeless elegance of an expertly crafted Burgundy wine with the Tortochot Chambertin Grand Cru 2016. Hailing from the revered vineyards of Gevrey-Chambertin in France, this distinguished wine is the result of traditional, biodynamic farming methods. Packed with dark fruit flavors balanced by a taut minerality, connoisseurs will detect notes of blackberry, cherry and truffle, exhibiting the classic intensity of a textbook Burgundy.

Domaine Tortochot, helmed by the fourth generation vintner, Chantal Tortochot, is known for creating acclaimed wines that are effusive in their fruit-forward charm, yet rooted in the rigours of terroir. The Tortochot Chambertin Grand Cru 2016 exemplifies this, having been painstakingly nurtured from hand-picked, old-vine Pinot Noir grapes and aged in French oak barrels, and is deemed ready for drinking now or cellaring. A truly prized addition to any fine wine collection, the Tortochot Chambertin Grand Cru 2016 is an investment in supreme viticultural mastery.

Vinous (93)

The 2017 Chambertin Grand Cru has a beautifully defined bouquet

Vinous (94)

The 2018 Chambertin Grand Cru has a very refined and elegant bouquet with pure red fruit mixed with sous-bois and wilted rose petals. The palate is very harmonious on the entry with a fine bead of acidity and caressing tannins. A touch of balsamic infuses the plush red fruit on the silky textured finish. It is not as sophisticated as a Rousseau Chambertin (heaven forbid!) however one could argue that this is cut from a similar cloth.

Savour the prestigious Tortochot Chambertin Grand Cru 2019, proudly produced by Domaine Tortochot, under the proficient stewardship of winemaker Chantal Tortochot. This delicate nectar hails from the heart of the Burgundy region, with vines ageing around 60 years, enhancing its excellence and complexity. This noble Pinot Noir exhibits its competency in the outstanding 2019 vintage, leveraging the terroir's unique qualities.

This fantastic Grand Cru wine reveals intense, multi-faceted aromas of bright cherry and ripe blackberry, harmoniously interweaving with nuanced hints of cloves and violets. Its undeniably silky texture splashes an intricate palette of lush fruit flavours across your palate, punctuated by a well-structured tannin profile and an enduring, resplendent finish.

The entirety of Tortochot's brilliant craftsmanship evident in Chambertin Grand Cru 2019 makes this profound wine an illustrious find for true connoisseurs. Truly a testament to Burgundy's fine winemaking tradition, it is perfect for those special occasions or sophisticated cellar ageing.

Savour the prestigious Tortochot Chambertin Grand Cru 2019, proudly produced by Domaine Tortochot, under the proficient stewardship of winemaker Chantal Tortochot. This delicate nectar hails from the heart of the Burgundy region, with vines ageing around 60 years, enhancing its excellence and complexity. This noble Pinot Noir exhibits its competency in the outstanding 2019 vintage, leveraging the terroir's unique qualities.

This fantastic Grand Cru wine reveals intense, multi-faceted aromas of bright cherry and ripe blackberry, harmoniously interweaving with nuanced hints of cloves and violets. Its undeniably silky texture splashes an intricate palette of lush fruit flavours across your palate, punctuated by a well-structured tannin profile and an enduring, resplendent finish.

The entirety of Tortochot's brilliant craftsmanship evident in Chambertin Grand Cru 2019 makes this profound wine an illustrious find for true connoisseurs. Truly a testament to Burgundy's fine winemaking tradition, it is perfect for those special occasions or sophisticated cellar ageing.

Primly cultivated from the finest vineyards of Gevrey-Chambertin in Burgundy, the Tortochot Chambertin Grand Cru 2021 encapsulates the quintessence of well-visioned French winemaking. This elegant yet intense wine springs from the hands of passionate vintner, Chantal Tortochot. Adopting her family’s four-century vinification traditions, Chantal marvellously meshes these with organic farming since 2013, ensuring an eco-respecting, qualitative production.

The Tortochot Chambertin Grand Cru 2021, harvested manually, is presented with immense depth and complexity derived from the rich, limestone-marly soils of its inception. Exhibiting sumptuous dark fruit essence with intricate spice notes, this intricately cellared wine, aged in 100% new French oak barrels, caters the palate with a smooth yet lingering finish. When savouring, one appreciates its ethereal balance between vivacious acidity and refined tannins—an enchanting testament to its Grand Cru status. The Tortochot Chambertin Grand Cru 2021 is a luxurious feast, grandly embodying its terroir's opulence.

Vinous (92)

Modestly saturated red with an amber edge. Wild, expressive scents of plum, leather and minerals are distinctly more evolved than those of the 1990 Vieilles Vignes bottling. Salty, suave wine with a seamless texture and a repeating leathery note to its flavors of plum, minerals and subtle dried flowers. Quite complex and perfumed in an old-fashioned way, conveying captivating vinosity. Finishes firm and long, with a fine dusting of tannins and lovely rising lift. This will still go on for a while. (13.7% alcohol with chaptalization; the last vintage made by Jean Trapet, the father of Jean-Louis; included a lot of small, late-picked millerandé grapes)

Vinous (92)

Medium red. At once mature and vibrant on the nose, offering rich scents of plum, tobacco, spices, mocha and underbrush. A juicy, spicy wine with modest flesh and texture but intriguing vinosity. Aeration brought fresher red fruits and even more energy and thrust. A savory, classically dry, middle-of-the-road style, displaying a captivating juicy coolness and better integration of acidity and tannins than the '04. A beauty in the context of its vintage. Trapet told me that this wine's malolactic fermentation did not finish until the summer of 2002. (13.3% alcohol; 3.55 pH; 3.6 g/l acidity; 39.5 h/h)

Vinous (94+)

Deep, youthful red. Deep aromas of black cherry, dark berries and licorice, complicated by a hint of menthol (but no greenness), leathery and meaty nuances, and a faint liqueur-like warmth. Quite fleshy, broad and rich, with its dark fruit and mineral flavors conveying a distinctly spicy quality. This doesn't quite display the high notes of the 2008 but then it's a sunnier style of wine. Compellingly full in the mouth and evolving very slowly. Finishes sappy and very long, with serious youthful tannins that avoid dryness but could still use more time to round out. (13.25% alcohol; 38.5 h/h; 3.48 pH, 3.6 g/l acidity; vinified with 60% whole clusters, which Trapet described as a little high for him)

Vinous (94+)

Deep, youthful red. Deep aromas of black cherry, dark berries and licorice, complicated by a hint of menthol (but no greenness), leathery and meaty nuances, and a faint liqueur-like warmth. Quite fleshy, broad and rich, with its dark fruit and mineral flavors conveying a distinctly spicy quality. This doesn't quite display the high notes of the 2008 but then it's a sunnier style of wine. Compellingly full in the mouth and evolving very slowly. Finishes sappy and very long, with serious youthful tannins that avoid dryness but could still use more time to round out. (13.25% alcohol; 38.5 h/h; 3.48 pH, 3.6 g/l acidity; vinified with 60% whole clusters, which Trapet described as a little high for him)

Vinous (92)

Moderately saturated medium red with a faint brick aspect. Musky aromas of red raspberry and mocha began a bit earthy and low-toned but gained in freshness with aeration. Silky and rather generous in the context of its vintage, conveying a strong spice character to its flavors of cherry, red berries and earth. The wine's fruit and tannins reveal a slight dry edge but this very savory Chambertin also boasts a subtle, sexy sweetness. The tannins turn a bit dusty with air, and I wonder if they will ever be fully integrated. (13.2% alcohol; 3.45 pH, 3.6 g/l acidity; 38 h/h)

Vinous (94)

Good deep, bright red with ruby tones. Redcurrant, cherry, tobacco and earth on the sexy nose. Juicy, suave and laid-back; in a distinctly polite style for a young Chambertin but there's superb depth here; velvety in texture yet almost weightless. Best today on the very long, slowly mounting finish, which delivers mineral energy and captivating lingering sweetness. This, too, is extremely refined Burgundy

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (97)

Good medium red. Knockout soil-inflected nose offers raspberry, smoke, minerals and game, with a noble suggestion of white pepper; as in so many past vintages, this wine combines the best traits of Trapet's Latricieres and Chapelle. Densely packed and spherical on the palate, but also powerful and quite pure, with no sign of excess weight. Wonderfully savory, palate-staining wine, finishing with silky, refined tannins and terrific lingering perfume. A distinctly saline quality adds complexity to this beauty in the making. Like so many 2009s, this wine should be approachable fairly early-say in three or four years-but should also last well.

Vinous (95)

A huge wine for the year, Trapet's 2011 Chambertin graces the palate with dark blue/purplish fruit, violets, cloves and savory herbs. Even with all of its intensity, the 2011 is a deceptively mid-weight Chambertin with fabulous balance and class. It should drink well relatively early.

Vinous (94+)

(50% vendange entier): Bright medium red. Very complex, subtle aromas of raspberry, flowers, licorice, minerals and menthol opened nicely with air. Boasts terrific inner-mouth menthol-and-spice tension, with its juicy dark berry fruit still wound up but already showing a captivating restrained sweetness. Finishes with terrific saline grip and length, the suave tannins perfectly buffered by fruits and minerals. Delivers the energy of the vintage in spades without being particularly austere.

Wine Advocate (96)

Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2014 tasting, the 2014 Chambertin Grand Cru from J L Trapet showed some stem addition on the nose, although there is sufficient fruit to support and absorb it over time. Indeed, with aeration it gains more harmony and the whole bunch influence seems to recede. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a superb thread of acidity, grippy in the mouth with a tightly wound, quite firm and masculine finish and a hint of tobacco on the aftertaste. This is a Chambertin surfeit with personality and nobility. Tasted September 2017.

Wine Advocate (96)

Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2014 tasting, the 2014 Chambertin Grand Cru from J L Trapet showed some stem addition on the nose, although there is sufficient fruit to support and absorb it over time. Indeed, with aeration it gains more harmony and the whole bunch influence seems to recede. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a superb thread of acidity, grippy in the mouth with a tightly wound, quite firm and masculine finish and a hint of tobacco on the aftertaste. This is a Chambertin surfeit with personality and nobility. Tasted September 2017.

Vinous (97)

The 2015 Chambertin Grand Cru has a captivating bouquet of blackberry, raspberry, crushed iris petals and orange sorbet, so beautifully defined that you can pick out each and every nuance. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, well-judged acidity and perfectly integrated oak, fanning out silky-smooth and harmonious on a finish that has class and panache. One of the best Chambertins you will find. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting.

The wines of Domaine Trapet are the epitome of Burgundian elegance, purity, and finesse. Vinification techniques depend on the vintage but generally consist of a brief period of cold maceration, followed by fermentation in open top wood fermenters with partial inclusion of stems (30 to 50%). Maceration is long and slow, with delicate extraction via punch-down and then gentle pump-overs in the later stages. Sulphur is added only at bottling, in minute doses.

 

The three magnificent Grand Crus Domaine Trapet owns in Gevrey-Chambertin are in top echelons and again in 2016, Le Chambertin under Jean-Louis’ care, has received outstanding reviews. The Trapet Pere & Fils Chambertin Grand Cru 2016 is awarded a 95-97 pts from Neal Martin (Wine Advocate) and 93-96 pts from Allen Meadows (Burghound).

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (96+)

Mid crimson colour. Perhaps a fractional reduction, certainly a less expressive nose first up. Now the depth is building. Bright dense concentrated, backward, some drier tannins but just to provide long term structure. Good acid balance too. This keeps getting better. 96+ Maybe 97?

Vinous (98)

The 2018 Chambertin Grand Cru has a transparent and very Pinoté nose. Pretty and elegant, quite mineral driven with very impressive focus. This has the aromatics precision of a Swiss clock - ethereal. The palate is velvety smooth with fine depth, slightly creamy in texture due to the new oak. Quite lavish though not ostentatious, it delivers haunting tension on the finish. Ethereal. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 red tasting.

Vinous (98)

The 2018 Chambertin Grand Cru has a transparent and very Pinoté nose. Pretty and elegant, quite mineral driven with very impressive focus. This has the aromatics precision of a Swiss clock - ethereal. The palate is velvety smooth with fine depth, slightly creamy in texture due to the new oak. Quite lavish though not ostentatious, it delivers haunting tension on the finish. Ethereal. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 red tasting.

Decanter (99)

Velvety and dense, showing enchanting approachability even at this early stage. There are forward, sweet aromas of red and black plum, cassis, and bramble on the nose, with a distinct floral edge and a hint of liquorice. There is enough extract to suggest that, despite its approachability, this will age for decades to come. Made with grapes from two well-placed parcels in the centre of Chambertin, running from the bottom nearly to the top of the slope.

Decanter (99)

Velvety and dense, showing enchanting approachability even at this early stage. There are forward, sweet aromas of red and black plum, cassis, and bramble on the nose, with a distinct floral edge and a hint of liquorice. There is enough extract to suggest that, despite its approachability, this will age for decades to come. Made with grapes from two well-placed parcels in the centre of Chambertin, running from the bottom nearly to the top of the slope.

Vinous (95-97)

The 2020 Chambertin Grand Cru was picked on 7 September and a small plot around five days later. It has a beautiful, quite ethereal bouquet with a complex mélange of red and black fruit, the 80-90% whole bunch completely assimilated with wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, harmonious and smooth, immense depth and elegance as it fans out towards the finish with perfect sapidity. Sublime.

Vinous (95-97)

The 2020 Chambertin Grand Cru was picked on 7 September and a small plot around five days later. It has a beautiful, quite ethereal bouquet with a complex mélange of red and black fruit, the 80-90% whole bunch completely assimilated with wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, harmonious and smooth, immense depth and elegance as it fans out towards the finish with perfect sapidity. Sublime.