Château Trotte Vieille 2015

Seductive aromatics with floral and spicy components; great breed with unusually ripe, rich tannins that give the wine substance and density, and a noticeable acidity that provides length and balance.

Solidly built, if a bit stolid, offering notes of singed juniper, cedar and tobacco and flavors of dried red currant, bitter plum and blood orange coulis. A chalky mineral edge gives the finish cut and tension, though there is a slight twinge of austerity at the end. A bit on the old-school side, but a strong showing, as this has put on weight since the barrel tasting. Best from 2023 through 2038. 2,000 cases made.

Elegant nose with a lovely mix of dark fruit and floral notes. Good structure, body and ripeness, though the tannins are slightly dry.

The 2015 Trotte Vieille has an attractive bouquet with cedar- and tobacco-tinged red fruit, well defined and poised, with more terroir expression than many of its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp acidity, licorice-tinged red fruit, and fine delineation toward the poised finish. This is an excellent Trotte Vieille that will probably deserve a higher score with bottle age. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

Another wine that is better from bottle than the barrel, the wine has richness, chocolate-covered red fruits, licorice, and espresso. The texture is soft, polished and caressing, the fruit shows ripeness, elegance and flesh. There is length in the sweet, fruity finish. This is the best vintage of Trotte Vieille I have ever tasted!

Dark color. Very intense, complex nose. The wine shows lovely density, is suave, with substance and depth, and a very appealing sweetness. A great Trottevieille, one of the greatest in its history. A benchmark wine that will be remembered. 49% Cabernet Franc, 49% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. 25 hl/ha.

Freshness and charm are in harmony on the bouquet of Trotte Vieille 2015, with inviting notes of chocolate, peppermint and violet. On the palate, the wine shows breadth thanks to silky, perfectly integrated tannins. The saline nuances on the finish are a welcome counterpoint to the richness.

The structure remains slender and well-defined, highlighted by the cabernets’ distinct presence (49% Cabernet Franc). There is plenty of promise in this wine, whose understated style is both tannic and refined, racy, and built on very classic benchmarks.