Château Trotte Vieille 2017

Fruity, well-structured, full-bodied, with ripe tannins and freshness, of ideal length; a perfectly balanced wine, a safe bet.

A sassafras note leads the way, followed by gently mulled plum, raspberry and blackberry fruit flavors. Soft and rounded in feel, with a flash of black tea on the finish. Feels as if it has lost some energy. Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2027. 3,000 cases made.

This is definitely an impressive 2017, with white pepper spice showcasing its own character that diverges sharply from Saint‑Émilion’s fruit bombs. It’s good quality, grown‑up and not trying to please. Cassis and again Cabernet‑dominant, something that I have found very much to be the case in 2017 across the board. This one deepens in the glass — it will take its time to come around.

The 2017 Trotte Vieille has a fresh, perfumed and quite floral bouquet with ample blackberry, raspberry coulis and light oyster shell aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple ripe tannins. This is a dense Trotte Vieille, but very smooth and seductive, the new oak nicely integrated. It feels cohesive and quite feisty on the finish. Excellent.

Elegant, soft, fresh and refined, there is an energy to the medium/full-bodied layers of black cherries that stands out. Made from a blend of 56% Cabernet Franc, 43% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine offers a distinctive note of flowers, red berries, espresso and forest tones. The slightly higher percentage of Cabernet Franc in the blend is due to damage from the frost.

The 2017 Trotte Vieille has a medium to deep garnet-purple color. It starts out with quite a lot of oak, giving way to notes of juicy plums and blackberry preserves, plus wafts of sage and mossy tree bark. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is densely packed with muscular black fruits, framed by firm, chewy tannins and bold freshness, finishing savory.

A great classic that helps one grasp the notion of a grand Saint‑Émilion terroir, this wine is supported by a significant share of Cabernet Sauvignon. Everything is in balance in this vintage, with refined tannins, distinctive character, and a relatively modest volume (that of 2017) which brings out the wine’s slightly austere framework.

Sappy, moreish wine, marked by a hint of green, with supple tannins and a long finish.

The bouquet of Trotte Vieille 2017 is still strongly marked by its ageing, with notes of coffee and mocha. On the palate, the wine reveals its complexity and power thanks to compact tannins and a lively structure. There is lovely tension on the finish, bringing freshness and vibrancy. The finish is thus highlighted, showing good aromatic expression and persistence.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Trotte Vieille gives up notes of baked plums, stewed black cherries and dried mulberries with touches of spice cake, chocolate box and new leather with a waft of cedar. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has great density and weight with a firm level of rounded tannins and lovely freshness, finishing on a compelling mineral note.