Gevrey-Chambertin Cuvée Ostrea AOC 2019

Since the 1920s, the Trapet family has been one of the largest owners of the Grand Cru sites Chambertin, Chapelle-Chambertin and Latricieres-Chambertin. Domaine Trapet was considered a great supplier of well-known negociants such as Drouhin or Leroy early on. But for some decades now, the wines have been marketed under their own name. In 1993, the domaine became Domaine Trapet Père et Fils through a division of the estate. Jean-Louis is considered one of the pioneers of biodynamic viticulture in Burgundy. He has been working according to the Biodyvin guidelines since 1998. Progress, optimisation but also respect for tradition have always driven Jean-Louis. Already in the early 2000s, he reduced the proportion of new wooden barrels for his wines in order to be able to transmit more finesse and purism. Since 2009, the domaine has been certified by demeter. Yield reduction in the sense of qualitative improvement is enforced without compromise. The two sons Pierre and Louis are now also back in the business and are setting new impulses. Three generations are currently active together in the business.

When it comes to fermentation, Jean-Louis Trapet vacillates between two fundamental issues. At the beginning, he often applies "pigeage" and then moves on to "remontage" when alcoholic fermentation sets in. Whole cluster fermentation is absolutely an issue. In the Grand Cru range, depending on the vintage, there can be up to 50-100% whole cluster fermentation, 30-50% for the Premier Crus and again somewhat less for the Villages. The proportion of new wood varies between 20% and 50% from Villages to Grand Cru.

During the harvest of the 2019 vintage, both a high degree of ripeness of the grapes and very good ph values could be attested. A slow vegetation period caused a slow ripening period and thus a decelerated tannin yield. This did not harm the complexity of the vintage at all. The tannins are supple. Three times higher tartaric acid values in relation to malic acid could be detected. The yields were around 42hl/ha for the Villages and around 35hl/ha for the site wines. This is slightly less than in 2018.

The Gevrey-Chambertin Ostrea usually comes from four plots located to the north between Gevrey-Chambertin and Brochon. The plots there are very rich in fossils and fossilised oyster shells are often found there. However, only three of them were used for the 2019. The four plots were planted in 1919. Many of the vines are around 90 years old, making them the oldest vines in the domain.

Bright ruby red, violet to soft brown reflections

2019 Ostrea clearly and loudly imposes notes of chalky soils. Linear, dark and stony. Earthy and ethereal at the same time. Wet forest floor and eucalyptus stand quietly in the glass. It also seems a little wrapped in smoke. Pickled morello cherries, cranberries and sour cherries. Some raspberry and blackberry are also present. The fruits seem intensely fragrant. It reminds a little of candied orange zest. Parsley and sage can still be detected in the background.

From the first sip, it manifests this chalky, linear and earthy impression. Only lean soils on limestone can bring such finesse and depth to the wines at the same time. It has a lot of power without having to play with muscles. You could even call it athletic. It sits absolutely firmly in the saddle. Equipped with a solid structure, it gallops around the forest fruit. The cherry fruit is juicy and intense on the palate as well as in the finish. The chalky minerality provides neat edges and sets cool accents. A velvety fine tannin underlines it.