Bourgogne Rouge 2021
In Burgundy, an estate's "Bourgogne" wine often serves as its signature and reveals much about its style. For Nicolas and David Rossignol, the duo behind Rossignol-Trapet since 1990, their Bourgogne is more than a showcase—it’s a window into the estate's essence. The grapes for this wine come exclusively from Gevrey-Chambertin, specifically a 0.77-hectare plot planted in 1999 within the En Grands Champs vineyard. This parcel sits adjacent to La Burie, Pressonnier, and Croix des Champs. With most of the domaine’s wines rooted in Gevrey, aside from three from Beaune, this bottle provides a clear expression of its origins.
The 2021 vintage has its own story to tell, shaped by challenges that are becoming increasingly common in Burgundy. The year was marked by severe frost and an unexpected snowfall on April 12, which hit lower-lying vineyards in Gevrey-Chambertin and Beaune the hardest. Early on, growers faced the reality of a significantly reduced harvest—about one-third below average—with only five barrels of this wine produced. Yet, Nicolas and David, as seasoned winegrowers, take such hurdles in stride. Weather is part of their reality, and in Burgundy, there’s some leeway to reflect these difficulties in pricing—a luxury not afforded to every region.
Cooler than the previous three vintages, 2021 brought a return to a more classic growing season, with the harvest beginning on September 27. The resulting wine is lively and transparent, offering aromas of ripe strawberries and raspberries, violets, and a touch of ras el hanout—a blend of North African spices that adds an intriguing dimension. There’s a subtle hint of oak and a gentle tartness, likely from the 20% whole clusters used in fermentation. On the palate, this Pinot Noir is juicy and vibrant, showing a refreshing balance and drinkability that defines a well-made Bourgogne.
Despite its playful character, the wine carries the hallmark spicy and slightly firm edge typical of Gevrey-Chambertin. A delicate fruity sweetness on the finish adds a youthful charm, making it as appealing now as it will be in the years to come.
Gevrey-Chambertin ‘Vieilles Vignes’ Rouge 2021
The term "Vieilles Vignes" may not be strictly regulated, but in Burgundy, it carries weight. For Rossignol-Trapet’s Gevrey-Chambertin ‘Vieilles Vignes,’ the vines behind this wine are truly deserving of the title, boasting an impressive age of 60 to 65 years. These mature Pinot Noir vines, with their deep roots, yield smaller harvests but deliver intensely concentrated grapes and a pronounced minerality. Nicolas and David Rossignol source the fruit from five biodynamically cultivated plots in Gevrey-Chambertin: Les Crais and Creux Brouillard in the east with gravelly soils, Combe du Dessous and Combe du Bas on the clay-rich slopes in the west, and Jouise and Cerceuils in the south with their stony, clay-laden terrain.
Younger vines are either blended into the estate's simpler Bourgogne or sold, thanks to the Rossignols’ enviable portfolio of Gevrey-Chambertin vineyards. With organic and Demeter certifications, their grapes are highly sought after by other winemakers, but the estate keeps the best for its own wines. In 2021, only 33% whole bunches were used for fermentation—lower than in warmer years—and the wine aged in 85% used barrels and 15% new oak, a slight increase from previous vintages. This precise, vintage-specific approach underscores their commitment to crafting wines that reflect the nuances of each growing season.
Despite its delicate color—crystal-clear at the rim and a transparent carmine red at the core—this wine surprises with its depth and complexity. Aromas of ripe yet vibrant red berries, cherries, and dog rose intertwine with notes of undergrowth, subtle yeast, and a reductive hint that lingers both in the bouquet and on the palate. The 2021 vintage stands out for its interplay of fresh acidity and sweet, crisp fruit, which in this ‘Vieilles Vignes’ is further enhanced by a chalky, lively minerality and a fine, stony spiciness. The result is a Pinot Noir that is both structured and enticingly elegant, offering a vibrant snapshot of Gevrey-Chambertin’s old vines.
Beaune 1er Cru ‘Les Teurons’ Rouge 2021
While Rossignol-Trapet is renowned for its Gevrey-Chambertin roots, fewer people know that the Rossignol family originally hails from Volnay in the Côte de Beaune. This connection to Beaune is preserved through parcels like the 1er Cru Les Teurons, brought into the domaine through Jacques Rossignol’s marriage. Situated just below the better-known Aux Cras, Les Teurons is a warm, stony site that lends a distinctive cool mineral edge to the wine’s fruit.
Biodynamically farmed and certified by Demeter, this Premier Cru was crafted with 20% whole bunch fermentation and aged primarily in used barrels, with only 15% new oak. The 2021 vintage was particularly challenging, with severe frosts and snow in April limiting yields to just 15 hl/ha—less than half the already modest allowance of 35 hl/ha.
In the glass, the wine shines with a transparent carmine red hue and an expressive, classic bouquet. Aromas of ripe raspberries, strawberries, and sweet cherries dominate, balanced by a fine spiciness and a touch of pepper. This interplay of sweet and tart fruit brings both freshness and depth, complemented by a lightly firm texture from the whole-cluster fermentation and gentle oak influence.
The result is a light, vibrant Pinot Noir with a crisp structure and an open, approachable character that mirrors the personalities of Nicolas and David Rossignol. Les Teurons offers a glimpse into the Rossignols’ connection to the Côte de Beaune, delivering a wine that is charming, fresh, and undeniably inviting.
Gevrey-Chambertin ‘Aux Ételois’ Rouge 2021
The Gevrey-Chambertin ‘Aux Ételois’ vineyard may not carry a cru designation, but its location and quality suggest it easily could. Nestled next to the Grand Cru ‘En Griotte’ and bordering the Grands Crus ‘Aux Charmes’ and ‘En la Chapelle,’ this Villages site is among the finest in the area. The Rossignols cultivate a 0.4-hectare plot here, planted with vines aged 60 to 70 years. These old vines naturally produce low yields, further reduced in 2021 by the late frosts and snow in April.
In the cellar, ‘Aux Ételois’ receives the care and attention typically reserved for a cru. In the cooler, more classic 2021 vintage, around one-third of the grapes were fermented as whole bunches, and the wine was aged in 15% new oak. The result is a transparent Pinot Noir with a spice-driven and slightly peppery character, layered with aromas of raspberries, boysenberries, cherries, and earthy undergrowth. Subtle oak nuances and a touch of reduction add depth and complexity, while the use of whole clusters contributes to the wine’s structure and serious tone.
Despite its youthful edge, there’s a charm in the way a hint of fruit sweetness softens the wine’s spicy backbone. On the palate, this sweetness enhances its appeal while allowing the layered complexity to shine. Notes of rock, soil, undergrowth, and dried leaves underline its proximity to the Grand Cru sites, delivering a wine that feels both serious and nuanced.
Though approachable now, ‘Aux Ételois’ has the structure and depth to reward patience, promising even greater refinement with time. This is a wine for the future, brimming with potential and a reflection of the Rossignol brothers’ meticulous craftsmanship.
Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru ‘Clos Prieur’ Rouge 2021
Once the property of the Prior of the Abbey of Cluny, Clos Prieur has long been divided into two parts: the lower Clos Prieur Bas, classified as a Villages vineyard, and the upper Clos Prieur Haut, recognized as a 1er Cru. Both sections benefit from the ancient alluvial soils brought by the Combe de Lavaux, though the lower part is more clay-rich, while the upper section, where the Rossignols' 0.25-hectare plot lies, offers a deeper, more refined fruit profile. Situated adjacent to the Grand Cru Les Mazis, this small vineyard produces wines of remarkable character.
The 2021 vintage of Clos Prieur is a transparent garnet-red Pinot Noir of finesse and complexity. Fermented with 35% whole clusters and aged in 20% new oak, the wine showcases both the elegance and structure of its Premier Cru status. Aromas weave together black cardamom, a hint of tobacco, warm forest earth, and dried leaves, all enveloped in the juicy sweetness of cherries, red berries, and a subtle note of baked yeast dough.
On the palate, the wine strikes a balance between earthy depth and vibrant juiciness. It reveals darker fruit tones than on the nose, alongside firm tannins, a touch of tart skin, and a subtle grainy texture. This interplay of sensuality and structure gives the wine an impressive length and a sense of seriousness, while retaining the charm of its origins.
The Clos Prieur 2021 reflects its site’s cool and slightly austere character but carries a refined charm that will reward patience. With just a quarter-hectare under vine and frost reducing yields by an additional 25%, this Premier Cru is especially rare this year, making it a wine of both distinction and scarcity.