Chambertin Grand Cru 2011

2011 - what a chaotic year. Flowering has never been as early as this year - at least according to Jean-Louis' father, who has witnessed 50 vintages in the vineyards. The spring was then quite hot and dry. The grapes remained small, which had the advantage of allowing good airflow through the berries. They also had thick skins and lots of concentration - sometimes too much, but that was sorted out. Picked from 3 September, Trapet used around 35 % whole bunches.

dark cherry-red

The 2011 Chambertin Grand Cru opens with a subtle hint of fine wood and floral notes before the ripe dark fruit takes over. The concentrated vintage expresses itself in a lush cherry fruit that is infused with cherry liqueur. Likewise, one can detect a hint of cress and also lactic notes in the aroma. Nevertheless, even this fruit is interspersed with cool elements reminiscent of freshly cracked stone that has had a little moisture.

On the palate, the wine is much wilder than the nose suggests - wild in the sense of undergrowth, forest floor, herbs, stone, slightly medicinal tones and leather. All this interacts with the warm forest and cherry fruit, is intense and muscular, yet surprisingly taut, clear and very serious. Even though, by its nature, the acidity is a bit riper in this vintage, it brings tension to the wine and remains present into the long, complex, even refined finish. This is Grand Cru, period.