Description
The most highly regarded of all Savoie reds is the Mondeuse from the steep slopes of Arbin and the Trosset brothers produce the finest Arbin Mondeuse, from just 4 hectares of impeccably tended vines on the steep, imposing slopes behind their home.
Louis and Joseph Trosset took over their fathers estate in 2000 on his passing. Joseph in the vines and Louis in the cellar, which he manages with his other career, as a lecturer of plant biology at the University of Savoie. A few years ago Louis retired passing his share of the vines to a nephew; it is now all Louis and the domaine is even smaller – 2.3 hectares! Louis farms his seven parcels by hand which is difficult as all the vines are trained low ‘en gobelet’ (bush vines). Their viticulture is not certified organic but they don’t use any chemicals and encourage soil activity, Louis thinks that the earthworms that pass two or three times through his soil each year do a great job!
In the cellar the grapes are fermented using natural yeasts ‘vendage entier’ (whole bunch) each parcel fermented separately in tank over about 10 days with daily ‘remontage’, before being pressed using an old basket press. The wines then mature, also only in enamel lined tank, until they are carefully blended and bottled.
Louis has considerable intellect and conviction; he has a sharp wit and breaks his intensity with an occasional smile. These 2015 wines are going to be some of the best ever made from this estate from a warm, disease free vintage where grapes could be picked at optimum ripeness in an Indian summer. Sadly Louis Trosset is getting on and we may not see all that many more vintages from him. He is one of the truly great vignerons of France.
The 2015 vintage will be legendary in France for red wine, think 1945, 1961, 1990. This is from the oldest vines at Trosset, some 80 years old. It has deep and resonant aromas of blackberry, spice and licorice with lifted and attractive scents of lavender. This is superb and will cellar incredibly well, the delicate nuance and length of flavour conferred by the old vines is at play here.
Vey limited – last bottles!
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