Domaine de Trévallon 2004

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

The Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon have not yet fully integrated, but the wine has a delightful fluidity, without any hint of thinness. Very elegant, very pure, and exceptionally fresh, this red—made without compromising on modern indulgence—simply needs a little time to allow the tannins in its finish to mellow.

About the estate:

Eloi and Floriane Dürrbach planted the vineyard in 1973, and since then have made Trévallon one of the jewels of French winemaking. Located on the northern slope of the Alpilles, the 17 hectares of vines—surrounded by unspoiled wilderness—have been cultivated organically since the very beginning. The cool microclimate, gentle pruning, and predominantly limestone soil are responsible for the wines’ distinctive style. The Dürrbachs do not claim the Les Baux-de-Provence appellation, as their grape varieties fall outside the specifications: Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah for the reds, Roussanne and Marsanne for the whites, complemented by a touch of Chardonnay. The red, which has become legendary just like the white, has real aging potential, and the passage of time lends it an additional finesse of expression. Superb!

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

About the estate:

Eloi Dürrbach, who was studying architecture at the Beaux-Arts in Paris, planted his first vines in the Alpilles in 1973, making wine… at the age of 23. It all began with the Trévallon farmhouse, purchased in 1955 by his father, along with 60 hectares of garrigue. Here, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah thrive as reds, complemented by the Marsanne and Roussanne grape varieties as whites (with a touch of Chardonnay). The result is a style more “northern” than “southern”—that is, in reference to the Rhône Valley: elegant and fresh. No pesticides or insecticides, sheep manure used as fertilizer; and plowed soils.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

The great 2004 vintage opened with a lot of freshness (tobacco, bay leaf, garrigue, etc.). It has a concentrated body but is not at all heavy. Ten years later, this red wine is in excellent shape and ready to drink this winter, though you can keep it in the cellar for another six or seven years.

About the estate:

As the founder of the Trévallon estate in Saint-Étienne-du-Grès in 1973, Éloi Dürrbach has become an iconic figure in Provence. On his clay-limestone terroir, situated on the northern slope of the Alpilles, he has cultivated Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah to produce exceptional red wines. He cultivates his vineyard using organic farming methods. An attentive and meticulous winemaker, he produces IGP Alpilles wines that beautifully express the terroir and showcase perfectly ripe grapes, combined with the precision of whole-cluster vinification and aging (up to two years in large oak casks). These methods result in wines that are dense, taut, and refined. Through their aromatic complexity (notes of spices, garrigue, and black truffle), Trévallon’s reds express a distinct Mediterranean character while retaining a northern freshness. From 2 hectares of white grape varieties (Marsanne, Roussanne, Chardonnay, and Grenache) come restrained, vinous whites, marked by subtle bitterness and delicate floral aromas. Ostiane and Antoine, the children of Éloi Dürrbach, have for several years embodied the next generation of this exemplary estate.