Trousseau

Overview

Trousseau is Gilman’s personal favorite red grape from the Jura, despite being the least widely planted of the three main Jura reds (only 8% of red plantings, vs. 14% Poulsard and 13% Pinot Noir). It produces wines with extraordinary aging potential, complex fruit (dark berries, cherries, pomegranate, dried cherries), bonfire/woodsmoke character, sweet botanical tones, stony mineral undertow, and fine-grained tannins. The wines build complexity over 10–20+ years.

Key Regions

• Jura — Arbois, Arbois-Pupillin, Côtes du Jura; single-vineyard sites include Les Corvées (Domaine Ratte), Cuvée des Géologues/Ruzard (Caveau de Bacchus)

Style Notes

Young Trousseau: dark and red-fruited, espresso, bonfire, sweet savory botanicals, stony soil. Firm tannins when young (needs 5–10+ years before drinking). With age: remarkable transparency and refinement, complex earthy and spice layers. Gilman: “If I was forced to only drink one red grape variety from the Jura on into the future, I would select Trousseau.”

Top examples tasted in VFTC #111:

• 2021 Trousseau “Ruzard” — Caveau de Bacchus (94, high elevation; drink 2033+)
• 2022 Trousseau — Domaine Bruno Bienaimé (94, needs 5+ years)
• 2021 Trousseau “Cuvée des Géologues” Dit PPT — Caveau de Bacchus (93, drink 2031+)
• 2022 Trousseau “les Corvées” — Domaine Ratte (92+, seamless young)
• 2009 Trousseau “Cuvée Rosière” — Caveau de Bacchus (92 at 15 years; still has room to grow)

Synonyms

• Bastardo (Portugal/Douro; different genetically but long considered the same)

My Tastings

(none yet — some Jura bottles in cellar)

Sources

• sources/articles/VFTC/VFTC May-June 2024 #111.txt — Jura/Savoie section (pages 58–60): six Trousseau tasting notes from 2022–2009 vintages; multiple producers