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Wine Description
The Story
This miracle of nature, which Arthur Trapet sensed one fine morning in May 1919, when he decided to buy his first parcel of Chambertin land, and of which we are eager to be worthy.Day after day, season after season, we strive to bring vitality to this royal land.
This area has moreover ensured the longest reign in history. Its fisrt evocation dates from 630, when the Duke Amalgaire made a gift of his elite vineyard to the monks of the Abbey of Bèze. Then, later, in 1219, the Abbey of Bèze, situated to the north-east of Dijon, gave over its domain to the chapter of the St. Mammes cathedral in Langres.
It was at this time that the reference ” boschus de campo Bertuyn ” appeared, a Chambertin wood just next to the Bèze vineyard. It was then a plot owned by a certainnamed Bertin. During the following centuries, many owners would shape the face of this marvellous land. ” Men come and go but the land remains “.
This magnificient land, from which the blue blood of Pinot Noir flows, has a complex geological composition. The base consists of calcareous clay with superb internal large surface clays. The upper part is much whiter and clayish, which consequently slows down the vegetative cycle and confers a royal and rare equilibrium on this jewel of a wine !
Vintage 1996
1996 VINTAGE in Burgundy
Maturity levels were in general high following a long hot summer. The wines from the famous Pinot Noir have an intense ruby red colour with lush red fruit aromas. They are wines that are comparable with the outstanding 88s and 89s. The whites are just as outstanding full-bodied with elegant vibrant Chardonnay fruit and sweet white flower and grilled nut aromas. These are wines that have the potential to age magnificently.
Each harvest we hope for three things, favorable weather conditions, healthy grape clusters and high sugar levels. The 1996 harvest provided all of these. April was particularly sunny and brought about an early bud burst (18th of April). Following this we had what can be described as a flash flowering which leads to good pollination, creating high yields.
Arean had low rainfall levels, a sturdy breeze (which kept rot to a minimum) and a long ripening period. These factors created high sugar levels and good acidity within the grapes. Cloud cover in August, combined with the coldest September on record meant that the sugar levels were exceptionally high and so was the acidity: 12% potential alcohol with 5.5g of acidity for Corton Reds and 13%-14% potential alcohol with 6g of acidity for Corton Charlemagne.
As a result, most are very pleased with the 1996 vintage. The reds have an intense color, good tannin structure and concentrated Pinot Noir flavor. The white wines are also impressive, containing plenty of rich fruit character, a crisp acidity and are already showing an attractive bouquet.