2018 Domaine Trapet Chambertin: A 99 point Grand Cru
Domaine Trapet has been red hot lately, and this bottle is exactly why.
Since Jean-Louis Trapet’s sons stepped in, the domaine has taken a real leap forward. The difference is in the vineyard: tighter farming, lower yields, and more precision, which means better raw material going into every bottle.
A huge part of that story is what’s happening inside Chambertin itself. Trapet farms 1.85 hectares across three parcels in Chambertin Grand Cru, and the site is slowly being converted to vines trained on individual stakes (en échalas) without hedging the canopy. The goal is simple: better ripening, better balance, and more definition. The results are extraordinary.
Shop this bottle: 2018 Trapet Chambertin Grand Cru
Explore more bottles like this: Burgundy Collection
Why Trapet Is Surging
Critics have been calling this out for a reason.
William Kelley has described an ongoing renaissance at this Gevrey-Chambertin benchmark, noting how the wines have climbed multiple levels in recent vintages.
Neal Martin went even further, calling it some of the purest fruit he encountered across extensive tastings in the Côte d’Or and describing 2018 as “one of the wines of the vintage.”
And it’s not just critics. CellarTracker drinkers have this wine sitting at an impressive 98-point average. Translation: the people actually opening bottles agree.
The Wine
As Trapet Chambertin often is, this is not a monster of concentration or structure. It’s a wine of refinement and grace.
It’s deep and complete, but it moves like silk: pure fruit, mineral drive, and tension that carries the finish without ever feeling heavy. Immensely enjoyable now with air, and absolutely built for the long game if you’re cellaring.
Buy the wine here: 2018 Trapet Chambertin Grand Cru
The 2018 Vintage at Trapet
2018 turned out brilliantly at this Gevrey-Chambertin benchmark, an estate that continues to go from strength to strength.
Jean-Louis Trapet began picking on September 5 and retained a considerable proportion of whole clusters for vinification. Alcohol levels came in mostly around 13% to 13.5%, and yields were naturally limited thanks to the domaine’s high percentage of old vines.
This is the best kind of 2018: deep and concentrated, yet exquisitely elegant. The wines show the imprint of the vintage, but they’re not dominated by it—Trapet’s clarity and balance stay front and center.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the 2018 Domaine Trapet Chambertin Grand Cru?
It’s a Grand Cru red Burgundy from Chambertin in Gevrey-Chambertin, produced by Domaine Trapet—one of the benchmark estates in the village.
What makes the 2018 Trapet Chambertin special?
A combination of elite Grand Cru terroir (Chambertin), a standout vintage at the domaine, and a major quality upswing driven by meticulous vineyard work—including their 1.85ha across three Chambertin parcels being converted toward en échalas training without canopy hedging.
Is Trapet Chambertin a big, powerful wine?
Not typically. Trapet Chambertin is often praised for refinement and grace rather than brute concentration—more silk and precision than sheer muscle.
Is 2018 Trapet Chambertin ready to drink now?
Yes—especially with air. It can be gorgeous now, but it also has decades of runway for cellaring and will gain nuance and complexity over time.
Did Trapet use whole cluster in 2018?
Yes. Jean-Louis Trapet retained a considerable proportion of whole clusters for vinification in 2018.
What is the alcohol level for 2018 at Trapet?
Between 13% and 13.5%, which is notably balanced for a generous vintage like 2018.
What does “en échalas” mean and why does it matter?
It’s training vines on individual stakes. Combined with avoiding canopy hedging, it can help improve ripening and balance and increase precision in the finished wine.