St-Emilion Grand Cru 2015, Chateau Trapaud

This is classic Right Bank Bordeaux at a great value. A Merlot-based blend that includes Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a classic expression of old world France. The wine is made in concrete vats and stainless steel, so you really get a clear sense of the fruit that goes into the bottle, as well as the earth in which it was grown.

The Larribière family have been stewards of this 15th Century estate for 4 generations. The vineyard is planted to 45-50 year old vines on average with the oldest planted in 1900. They have a total of 15 hectares composed of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, all surrounding the estate on clay-limestone soils.

About the Winery

Château Trapuad is located on the famed Côte of Saint-Émilion, not far from the  legendary Ch. Pavie, Ausone, Valandraud and Pavie Macquin. Trapaud’s 15 hectares are
contiguous – a relatively rare and advantageous vineyard configuration. Being on the Côte, Trapaud’s vineyards beneft from the gentle slopes and clay/limestone soils
which ofer drainage often lacking in Bordeaux. Ch. Trapaud, which dates back to 1471, came into the Larrabiere family in 1927. Over the generations, the estate grew until eventually the current proprietor, 4th generation Béatrice, took over in 1997.

An only child, Béatrice may have been the obvious choice to lead the winery one day but she pursued it out of passion, working alongside her father growing up. She continued her education formally, gaining degrees in agricultural science and enology and then apprenticing in Australia and California. She returned to the family estate in 1995 full of new ideas; by 1997, she convinced her father to allow her to implement her vision for elegant St-Emilion converting to organic farming and modernized the winery. Today she is one of very few women winemakers in St-Emilion, even fewer organically farming, and still fewer with top ratings from reviewers such as James Suckling.