Chappelle-Chambertin

Compared to the evident charm of Rossignol-Trape's Latricières, his Chapelle-Chambertin is much more intense and tightly coiled but, don’t be deceived – there is at least as much fruit just waiting for the moment to express itself.

A fine, medium-deep red-purple, the colour and bouquet are both more restrained than Latricières, before some attractive dark cherry notes start to arrive. This is supple, refined and very long indeed, even more than the Latricières. The finish is truly astonishing. Drink 2025-2035.
Jasper Morris MW, Wine Buyer

Nicolas and David Rossignol report a healthy crop in quality and quantity, though a little reduced in the Grands Crus. They began on 7th September, using around 50 percent whole bunches, and avoided any punching down during vinification as there was no need to search for extraction, preferring a daily pumping-over and aeration. As ever there is only a modest use of new oak and sulphur levels are kept low. They have made unquestionably brilliant wines this year.

Most of the vines are in the En La Chapelle section, with a quarter in Les Gémeaux. The latter has deeper soil, and its component is rounder and riper. Blended with En La Chapelle’s cooler style, this becomes a high- toned, succulently fruity red, with such a bright line of freshness. This is really energising. Drink 2025-2035.
Adam Bruntlett, Wine Buyer

The domaine was created through the marriage of Jacques Rossignol of Volnay with Mado Trapet from a noted family in Gevrey-Chambertin. Their sons Nicolas and David Rossignol have managed the domaine since 1990, moving subsequently to biodynamic farming. The first experiments started in 1997 with their Chapelle- Chambertin, followed by conversion of the whole domaine in 2004. Vinification includes a small proportion of whole bunches, while the trend in recent years has been to look for an increasingly elegant expression of Pinot Noir. It’s a remarkable cellar this year, with brothers Nicolas and David radiating calm and understanding. As elsewhere, this was a very challenging vintage for them, especially in Beaune, the village Gevrey vines and Le Chambertin. Containing the mildew required an incredible amount of work by hand. Their biodynamic strategy seems to have paid off though; after a slow start to the range, the impression was of incremental qualities. Intensity, not density. Nicolas and David referred us to Nono, Love and the Soil by Gaston Roupnel, a novelist born in Gevrey.

With a core of old vines planted in 1924 and 1938, this is a dynamic and sensual wine. There is more density than in the Latricières and it also feels riper. But it also feels alive and cerebral, with a superbly confident finish. This was the brothers’ first vineyard to change to biodynamics. Drink 2026-2035.

For Nicolas, with the domaine’s focus on biodynamics, this was an année calme, a welcome respite between 2016 and 2018. His biggest challenge was to manage the pruning of the canes affected by last year’s frosts, so a green harvest was necessary as well. Harvesting started on 5th September in their Beaune-Teurons. He opted for lighter extraction this year with no punchdowns, but some délestage (rack and return) for aeration. Nicolas feels the style is very close to their 2016s. It is certainly a fine range this year and proof that good vineyard work was key to success.