We have just received our allocation from the 2022 vintage from one of our favourite domaines in Burgundy, Rossignol-Trapet.  Even though they are still in the barrel, we can think of no wines more appropriate to offer in the final few days before Christmas.  An en primeur certificate for some of these exquisite, gem-like red burgundies would make a wonderful last-minute gift, but we also encourage you to add them to your own cellar!  

Our cask-tasting visit here each November is more of a pilgrimage, so enamoured are we of the wines.  This year, following a more abundant harvest in 2022, we were privileged to be treated by Nicolas Rossignol to an extensive tasting of his various cuvées, inlcuding a dizzying array of grands crus wines.  We are very pleased to be able to offer very limited quantities of Latricieres-Chambertin, Chapelle-Chambertin, and Chambertin itself. 

For many years, tasting these from cask was an esoteric exercise and a real test for our palates, with much of the flavour and aroma locked up by the grands crus' powerful tannins.  Recent vintages like 2019 and '20 were much more concentrated and open, but the '22s were a return to the ethereal style of old, although still with more immediacy.

Nicolas told us that he began harvesting on 8th September.  The summer was memorable for the severe flood that hit Gevrey on the 20th June, when rain clouds burst over the Combe de Lavaux at the top of the slopes.  A torrent of water exploded drains across the town and brought large quantities of soil down from the vineyards, engulfing a number of underground cellars.  The flood was followed by mildew which threatened the whole appellation.  The community responded by joining together to hire helicopters to spray the vines.  

Dramatic June weather aside, it was generally a hot, sunny summer, with excellent moisture levels allowing the vines to cope with the heat.  As at other domaines, we were surprised then to find the wines were full of elegance and minerality, perfectly ripe but always with the most beautiful balance, a word that comes up over and again in our notes.

Nicolas said he used the same amount of whole-bunch fermentation as in 2020 (65% for the Gevrey wines).  Apart from no pigeage, there were few changes, so the difference in style is predominantly due to vintage.  Nicolas compared his 2022 to 2016 (a vintage we loved) but it seemed to us that the '22s were struck a happy balance between the concentration and ripeness of '20 and the fine structure and acidity of '16. 

To our minds, these wines vie with those from the coterie of top domaines that command far higher prices.  We think the wines from Nicolas are worth every penny, including the grands crus.  These are in very limited supply, so please let us know as soon as possible if you would like to order.

Offered en primeur.  Landing in autumn 2024.