When considering top estates in Provence, Domaine de Trévallon is unquestionably up near the top of the heap. Purchased by Jacqueline and René Dürrbach in 1950 and planted in 1973, this family estate has been making singular, age-worthy wines for decades now. It has stayed in the Dürrbach family as well, being run subsequently by Rene’s son Eloi and wife Floriane for the past three decades. Today, their two children, Ostiane and Antoine, have joined the team and I certainly expect this domaine to continue making beautiful wines.
The estate lies in the Les Baux de Provence region which is just south of the town of Avignon. This is a hilly, wild, limestone, chalk, and clay driven region, and while it’s outside of the normal tourist destinations, is a beautiful area well worth visiting. The estate was originally planted to equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, and it’s this unique blend that helps make this cuvee so singular. While Trévallon has done more to elevate the status of this region than any other producer, the French are their own worst enemy and in 1993 enacted an AOC law limiting the amount of Cabernet Sauvignon in the vineyards to no more than 20%. As opposed to replanting all of their vineyards, the family (wisely) opted to use the lesser known Vin de Pays du Bouche du Rhône classification. In 2009, the Alpilles IGP was created and the estate has used this classification since.
This article takes a look at a small retrospective going back to 2005, and also includes their white, which while almost impossible to find outside of France, is well worth seeking out.