Domaine Trapet Père & Fils - Chambertin 'Grand Cru' 1993

Here is a comprehensive review of the Domaine Trapet Père & Fils - Chambertin 'Grand Cru' 1993.

1. Summary & Classification

The 1993 Chambertin Grand Crufrom Domaine Trapet is a classic, powerful and very long-lived red wine from the heart of the Côte de Nuits. The winery, now run by Jean-Louis Trapet, is one of the most traditional addresses in Gevrey-Chambertin and has favoured biodynamic cultivation since the 1990s.

The 1993 vintage in Burgundy is categorised by experts as "very good" to "excellent", even if it does not achieve the legendary status of the 1990 or 2005 vintages. After a wet spring and summer, an ideal late summer ensured that the grapes ripened slowly and completely . The wines of this vintage are known for their pronounced acidity and great ageing potential. The Trapet Chambertin 1993 epitomises this "old school" style perfectly: it took almost two decades to open up and is now in a complex drinking window.

2. Producer & terroir

• Domaine Trapet Père & Fils: Founded in 1919, the Domaine (formerly Domaine Louis Trapet) has an outstanding terroir portfolio. Today, Jean-Louis Trapet runs the estate biodynamically (certified) and favours long maceration and gentle vinification without the addition of sulphur during the ageing process .

• Chambertin Grand Cru:The estate cultivates around 1.9 hectares of Grand Cru Chambertin, spread over three plots. The oldest vines were planted in 1919 . The soil consists of calcareous clay, which gives the wine a regal balance and complex minerality .

3. Wine description & sensory profile

The wine shows a medium to deep ruby red colour in the glass with minimal brightening at the rim, indicating remarkable youth for its age .

Aroma (nose)

The aroma is complex and shows the typical development of a mature Grand Cru site:

• Primary: Dark cherries, ripe red plums, cassis and violets .

• Secondary/tertiary:Dominant notes of roasted meat, game, leather, blood orange, truffle and "sous-bois" (forest floor). In some bottles, mentholated or smoky notes are perceptible .

Palate (On the palate)

• Structure:The wine is powerful and concentrated. The tannins are ripe and have integrated over time, but show a certain rustic austerity compared to more modern wines, which is typical of the vintage and traditional ageing .

• Acidity: The acidity is lively and precise, giving the wine an impressive freshness and length .

• Finish: Long and persistent with flavours of spices, minerality and meat juice .

Drinking notes (Community & Critics)

• Maturity: The wine was extremely closed in its youth. Tasting notes from 2016-2019 describe it as "coming now", with an explosive nose and dense structure . Current notes (2023-2025) confirm that it is in an optimal drinking phase, albeit with a certain range of quality depending on ageing .

• Ratings: Community ratings average 93-94 points, with some tasters emphasising the impressive concentration and "old school" character, while others report bottles with slight oxidation or volatility (VA), which is not uncommon in wines of this age .

4. Market data & prices

The 1993 Chambertin is a rare collector's wine. Prices vary greatly depending on condition and trading platform.

• Average price (global): Approx. 529 US dollars (excl. tax) per bottle (as at the end of 2025) .

• Auction prices:

  • One bid in France was € 480.00 per bottle .

  • At an auction in China, a batch of 6 bottles was estimated at 15,000 - 18,000 RMB (approx. 1,900 - 2,300 EUR) .

• Availability:Due to its age and limited production (Grand Cru), the wine is only available in specialised shops, at auctions or from private collectors.

5. Drinking recommendation & food pairing

• Serving temperature: 16-18 °C .

• Decanting:Recommended. Ideally, decant 1-2 hours before drinking to dispel any reduction notes and open up the complex flavours .

• Food recommendations:

  • Poultry: Pheasant with mushrooms, roast quail .

  • Meat: Fillet steak with béarnaise sauce, boeuf bourguignon .

  • Game: Smoked venison, venison ragout .

  • Cheese: Matured Comté or Cheddar.

Conclusion

The Domaine Trapet Chambertin Grand Cru 1993is a wine for purists. It shows the raw beauty of the 1993 vintage and the authenticity of a producer steeped in tradition. It currently offers a complex bouquet of ripe fruit, game and earth. Due to the age and bottle variance, the condition of the cork is decisive for the drinking experience. If you get hold of a well-stored bottle, you will experience one of the great, classic Burgundies of its time.