Château Trotte Vieille 2022

Discreet, spicy élevage; striking breed on the palate, incredibly dense, velvety yet firm tannins, immense length; an impressive Trotte-Vielle, one of the standouts of the year.

Concentrated and expressive aromas – the TrotteVieille signature scents emerge from the glass of tobacco, liquorice, dark chocolate, roses, violets and sweet blackcurrants. Smooth and determined, this pulses with energy and cooling freshness from the start, so juicy on the mid palate, mouthwatering, with a soft sweetness that is really pleasant and, together with slightly chewy tannins, gives a plentiful mouthfeel. The tannins have a salty grip and this ends mineral with a crushed-stone salinity. The finish is a touch narrow, suggesting this wine has such a long life ahead, yet it’s one I immediately wanted another glass of and it’s delicious to drink even now!

The 2022 Trotte Vieille takes time to cohere on the nose, with scents of red fruit, black olive, violet and liquorice, though it meliorates in the glass and finds more and more refinement. The palate is medium-bodied, with fine tannins, spicy and peppery, well integrated oak and a concentrated finish that will require time. I believe this will come good in the end and represents one of the finest wines from this underestimated estate in recent years. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.

The florality in the perfume, with its accents of mint, licorice, spice, and oceanic touches, is striking. The palate is silky, vibrant, and plush. The fruits are deep, intense, long, vibrant, and, most importantly, pure. There is length, complexity, opulence, balance, and a strong sensation of crushed stones, blackberries, chocolate, and plums in the finish you can taste and feel. 2022 marks the first time the estate included Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. TrotteVieille continues its non-stop string of successes. The wine blends 50% Cabernet Franc, 45% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2027-2060.

Full and beguiling on the nose, it draws you in with the promise of irresistible freshness. Red and purple fruit, smooth and charming, unfolds in a contemplative balance, laced with floral notes that evoke the gentle sway of a hammock. The palate vibrates with a hypnotic surge of red fruit and flowers, before stretching into a long, saline, caressing finish, lifted by a delectable touch of mocha.

From the outset, Trotte Vieille shows depth, serenity and charm. Without detours, the bouquet goes straight to the point and can only captivate every pleasure‑seeking receptor! Shades of blackcurrant and licorice, intertwined with chalky and mentholated notes, ensure freshness and complexity. On the palate, the wine is silky, ample, linear and deep. Its tannins deliver exceptional power, perfectly harnessed, along with an unlikely tension provided by an incisive structure that brings salinity and freshness. Everything is perfectly coherent, nothing sticks out, and the wine shines with serenity, elegance, vigor and charm, all further enhanced by the mouthwatering, even thirst‑quenching character of the finish. A magnificent achievement.