Domaine Trapet Pere et Fils, Chapelle-Chambertin 2018

Note: from two parcels of vines in Chapelle proper measuring .55 ha, one planted in '65 and the other in '38 95-97 points Vinous The 2018 Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru includes 80% whole-cluster fruit, from a plot picked on a single morning. The expressive bouquet of menthol-infused red berry fruit gains intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. A supremely crafted and quite succulent Chapelle-Chambertin with red cherries, crushed strawberry and blood orange notes toward the very sustained finish. (NM) (1/2020)

95 points John Gilman

Chapelle-Chambertin is quite a warm terroir, so I wondered how it would turn out in the torrid summer of 2018, but Jean-Louis picked this very early and the alcohol comes in at a quite classic 13.5 percent this year. The wine is ripe and powerful in personality, albeit, still with that characteristic Chapelle elegance, as it wafts from the glass in a gorgeous blend of plums, black cherries, grilled meats, cigar wrapper, chocolate, an excellent base of soil, vanillin oak and a distinct topnote of fresh nutmeg. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and rock solid at the core, with firm, ripe and seamless tannins, excellent focus and grip and a very long, nascently complex and classic finish. This is outstanding. (Drink between 2030-2080) (12/2019)

93-95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

From holdings located exclusively in lieu-dit En la Chapelle, Trapet's 2018 Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru offers up an inviting bouquet of cassis, plums, dark chocolate and pungent spices, framed by a deft touch of toasty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, it's deep, layered and fine-boned, built around elegantly chalky tannins that are cloaked in a lively core of fruit. The 2018 vintage has turned out brilliantly at this Gevrey-Chambertin benchmark, an estate that seems to go from strength to strength. Jean-Louis Trapet began picking on September 5 and retained a considerable proportion of whole clusters for vinification, reporting alcohol levels for the most part between 13% and 13.5%. Yields, he told me, were limited by the domaine's high percentage of old vines. Deep, concentrated and exquisitely elegant, this is a remarkably consistent range in both style and quality, and while they bear the imprint of the vintage, they're not dominated by it. Everything reviewed here comes warmly recommended. (WK) (2/2020)

94 points Allen Meadows - Burghound

A deft application of wood sets off riper aromas of poached plum and black cherry liqueur that display a plenitude of floral and discreet spice elements. The relatively big-bodied flavors are rich to the point of opulence while possessing a caressing texture, all wrapped in a very firm and impressively long finale. I like the balance as the firm tannins are already well-integrated. Lovely stuff. (1/2021)