DOMAINE ROSSIGNOL-TRAPET, France

Since then Jacques’ two sons, Nicolas and David have gradually taken over the reins of the business. The domaine has been certified 100% biodynamic since 2004. With vineyards spread equally across Village, 1er Cru and Grand Cru holdings in Gevrey Chambertin, the domaine offers a fascinating insight into the sheer variety of flavours that this famous Burgundy village can muster. The brothers are very pleased with their 2014s, which reflect their very precise origins with clarity and elegance.

Viticulture

Vineyards are primarily located in Gevrey-Chambertin, with an impressive portfolio of Grand Cru and Premier Cru sites. Among their most prestigious holdings are parcels in Chambertin, Latricières-Chambertin, and Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Crus. They also cultivate Premier Cru vineyards such as Clos Prieur and Petite Chapelle in Gevrey-Chambertin, as well as Les Teurons in Beaune. The diversity of soil—ranging from deep clay to limestone-rich compositions—provides an ideal foundation for expressing the nuanced character of Pinot Noir across various terroirs. A defining aspect of the domaine is its pioneering adoption of biodynamic viticulture. Initiated in 1997 and fully embraced by 2004, this holistic approach underscores a philosophy of minimal intervention and deep respect for the natural rhythms of the vineyard. Biodynamic practices have played a vital role in revealing the true identity of each site, yielding wines of authenticity, balance, and distinctive terroir expression.

Winemaking

They prefer to harvest later, whole-cluster fermentation is employed judiciously—typically around 50%, depending on the vintage—to enhance aromatic complexity and structure. Extraction is carefully managed to avoid excess, preserving the elegance and supple texture of the wines. This thoughtful, restrained approach produces wines that are charming in their youth while possessing the structure and depth for graceful aging. They tend to use less new oak, as their aim is to achieve fruit ripeness rather than oak dominance. Typically, the ‘Village’ wine matures in 10-15% new oak, the 1er Crus 25% new oak and the Grands Crus 50% new oak. Purity of fruit and freshness are the hallmarks here.