Region: Provence
Sub Region: IGP Alpilles
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah
Country: France
Vintage: 2016
The Wine
The 2016 marks the 40th vintage of Domaine de Trévallon and comes directly from the estate’s cellars. This provenance matters: Trévallon is renowned for its unusual ageing curve, often showing beautifully soon after release before closing down and re-emerging with far greater complexity after a decade or more.
The vintage also tells a uniquely Trévallon story. Wild boar devastated approximately 30% of the crop, showing a clear preference for Syrah. The resulting wine contains 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Syrah rather than the estate’s customary equal blend, giving the 2016 additional Cabernet structure, herbal lift and long-term potential. Harvest ran from 12 to 22 September, with the finished wine at 13.5% alcohol.
The vineyards are rooted in the ancient limestone and clay soils of the northern Alpilles, surrounded by the woodland and garrigue that moderate the local climate. The estate has always farmed organically, with massal-selection vines spread across numerous small parcels rather than one uniform vineyard.
The varieties were fermented separately as whole bunches without destemming, cultured yeast or sulphur during fermentation. After around three weeks, the wine was transferred to large foudres and seasoned barrels for close to two years, with minimal racking so the lees could continue to nourish the wine. It was fined with fresh egg white and bottled without filtration.
Now entering an ideal phase of maturity, the 2016 combines cassis, blackberry and cherry with mint, rosemary, tomato leaf and Provençal herbs. There is concentration, but the defining feature is freshness: the wine moves with remarkable energy rather than weight.
Cellared Says
A library release from Trévallon’s own cellar is a very different proposition from an anonymously sourced mature bottle. The additional Cabernet gives the 2016 exceptional line and freshness, while a decade of development has begun to reveal the savoury complexity these wines are famous for. A rare chance to buy one of France’s great reds at the beginning of its mature drinking window. The best vintage Eloi, the father ever made before handing the estate over to his children. Only 2 bottles available.
Reviews
‘Heart-fluttering aromas, the sort that genuinely make you stop mid-sentence and just stare into the glass. Cassis and blackberry form the core, but they’re wrapped in crushed mint leaves, tomato stem, rosemary and a glossy swirl of cherry coulis. The palate is a swooping aeronaut – an acrobat, a trapeze artist – swishing and swooping with effortless fluidity and high-toned freshness. There’s concentration here but absolutely no flab; everything is swept along in a torrent of acidity. The tannins prickle quietly in the distance, still quite firm, suggesting a very long future ahead. Thrilling to drink now, but clearly built to age. A singular, supernova wine. Drink 2026 – 2038’
98 Points – Natalie Earl, Decanter
Region: Provence
Sub Region: IGP Alpilles
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah
Country: France
Vintage: 2016
The Wine
The 2016 marks the 40th vintage of Domaine de Trévallon and comes directly from the estate’s cellars. This provenance matters: Trévallon is renowned for its unusual ageing curve, often showing beautifully soon after release before closing down and re-emerging with far greater complexity after a decade or more.
The vintage also tells a uniquely Trévallon story. Wild boar devastated approximately 30% of the crop, showing a clear preference for Syrah. The resulting wine contains 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Syrah rather than the estate’s customary equal blend, giving the 2016 additional Cabernet structure, herbal lift and long-term potential. Harvest ran from 12 to 22 September, with the finished wine at 13.5% alcohol.
The vineyards are rooted in the ancient limestone and clay soils of the northern Alpilles, surrounded by the woodland and garrigue that moderate the local climate. The estate has always farmed organically, with massal-selection vines spread across numerous small parcels rather than one uniform vineyard.
The varieties were fermented separately as whole bunches without destemming, cultured yeast or sulphur during fermentation. After around three weeks, the wine was transferred to large foudres and seasoned barrels for close to two years, with minimal racking so the lees could continue to nourish the wine. It was fined with fresh egg white and bottled without filtration.
Now entering an ideal phase of maturity, the 2016 combines cassis, blackberry and cherry with mint, rosemary, tomato leaf and Provençal herbs. There is concentration, but the defining feature is freshness: the wine moves with remarkable energy rather than weight.
Cellared Says
A library release from Trévallon’s own cellar is a very different proposition from an anonymously sourced mature bottle. The additional Cabernet gives the 2016 exceptional line and freshness, while a decade of development has begun to reveal the savoury complexity these wines are famous for. A rare chance to buy one of France’s great reds at the beginning of its mature drinking window. The best vintage Eloi, the father ever made before handing the estate over to his children. Only 2 bottles available.
Reviews
‘Heart-fluttering aromas, the sort that genuinely make you stop mid-sentence and just stare into the glass. Cassis and blackberry form the core, but they’re wrapped in crushed mint leaves, tomato stem, rosemary and a glossy swirl of cherry coulis. The palate is a swooping aeronaut – an acrobat, a trapeze artist – swishing and swooping with effortless fluidity and high-toned freshness. There’s concentration here but absolutely no flab; everything is swept along in a torrent of acidity. The tannins prickle quietly in the distance, still quite firm, suggesting a very long future ahead. Thrilling to drink now, but clearly built to age. A singular, supernova wine. Drink 2026 – 2038’
98 Points – Natalie Earl, Decanter
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