Château Trotte Vieille 2018

Very closed aromatics of a wine that needs a long time to age; powerful attack, great depth, exquisite breed and distinctive minerality despite the richness, long, juicy finish with notes of herbs and blueberries; in the style of the vintage, assured, and among the best!

Tilts to old school in style, with a mix of savory, warm raspberry coulis, sandalwood, red tea and bitter cherry paste notes mixed together. Finish has good cut and persistence, with a fine-grained cedar note framing it all. Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2022 through 2034. 3,000 cases made.

Extremely concentrated cassis and bilberry fruits, almost Left Bank in the approach (there is a majority of Cabernet in the blend), until the juice and slate from the limestone comes pouring in through the mid-palate. I love this, absolutely delivered on its en primeur promise. A yield of 38 hl/ha. 100% new oak.

2018 marks the year Trotte Vieille really upped their game. From the initial floral-centric notes on the nose, you move to the palate with its velvety texture, multiple layers of sweet, lush, pure, silky red fruits, a touch of oak, herbs and licorice, and a sensuous finish. This is just great in every way. Much better in bottle than in barrel, this is going to offer fabulous drinking for 2–3 decades with ease. I am certain this is the finest wine ever produced from Chateau Trotte Vieille. The wine was made from a blend of 54% Cabernet Franc, 44% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% ABV.

Deep dark ruby, purple reflections, discreet bright rim. Finely spiced black berry fruit, nuances of ripe plums, some nougat, a hint of fine oak, delicate vanilla. Complex, pronounced fruit texture, some chocolate, good freshness, round tannins, long finish, mineral aftertaste, a versatile food wine.

Coming from the upper plateau and always including lots of Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Château Trotte Vieille reveals a healthy ruby/purple color as well as elegant, complex notes of red and blue fruits, spring flowers, cedarwood, and violets. Beautifully balanced on the palate, it needs lots of air to show at its best, but it's medium to full-bodied and has a focused, firm texture, ripe tannins, and a beautiful finish. As always, this has an incredible floral character, and the purity of fruit is terrific. It needs 4-6 years in the cellar, but I suspect it will keep for 20 years or more. It's one of the finest wines I've tasted from this estate.

The 2018 Trotte Vieille is deep garnet-purple in color. It is closed at first, opening to reveal Morello cherries, wild blueberries, and fragrant earth, with hints of clove oil and cedar. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has just enough fruit with a chewy texture and a pleasant spiciness on the finish.

Confirmed in its classic virtues, the 2018 does not lack scope. In this chaotic year, it managed to preserve its freshness to develop a wine built on the finesse of a broadly coating, fairly relaxed fruit. Its oak ends on the harmony of a ripe, gentle ensemble, vibrating with pepper and tannins full of gallantry.

A beautiful nose of soft flowers, somewhere between blackcurrant blossom and wallflowers, unfolding onto a captivating palate that is extremely rich, sumptuous, and cocooning, with a mocha-driven finish that is dense and very long.

This wine shows great finesse. It has freshness, fruit, and a precision that it clearly displays and enhances. On the palate, the wine is compact, delicious, and supported by driving tannins. These are tight, compact, and in line with the acidity. There is pedigree here, substance, and temperament. Fruity finish. A fine success.