The 1998 Trotanoy displays a deep garnet-purple color. Wow. Tons of gregarious fruit springs from the glass—crème de cassis, blackberry pie, blueberry compote and mincemeat with suggestions of cigar box, chargrilled meat, incense, earth and dried cherries plus a touch of dried flowers. Medium to full-bodied, it coats the palate with bags of rich, plush textured fruit, offering layer upon layer of exotic spice and savory flavors, finishing epically long and layered. This is mind-blowingly delicious! LPB

The finest Trotanoy since the 1961, this structured, formidably-endowed, deep ruby/purple-colored, full-bodied, super-rich wine exhibits notes of toffee, truffles, and abundant blackberry, cherry, and currant fruit. It cuts a large swath across the palate, and possesses copious but sweet tannin as well as a chewy, muscular mid-palate and finish. This is a compelling effort from one of the great vineyards of Pomerol. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2035. Last tasted, 11/02. Drink: 2003 - 2035
96/100

Bordeaux Book, 4th Edition Jan 2003

(95 pts)
This structured, formidably-endowed, deep ruby/purple-colored, full-bodied, super-rich wine exhibits notes of toffee, truffles, and abundant blackberry, cherry, and currant fruit. It cuts a large swath across the palate, and possesses copious but sweet tannin as well as a chewy, muscular mid-palate and finish. This is a compelling effort from one of the great vineyards of Pomerol. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2030.
96Wine Advocate #134 Apr 2001

(96-98 pts)
This wine is rich, full, and prodigious. A black/ruby color is followed by knock-out aromatics of grilled meats, licorice, black cherries, and blackberries. Backward, with high tannin, awesome concentration, a penetrating, layered feel in the mouth, and enormous weight and length, it will require 7-10 years of cellaring, and should keep for 30-35 years. It is a superstar of the vintage! Anticipated maturity: 2008-2030+.
-Wine Advocate #128 Apr 2000

(94-98 pts)
Let me make it crystal clear - readers have to go back to 1961 to find a Trotanoy of such exhilarating power, richness, and potential complexity. There are 2,800 cases of this black beauty. Harvested at the perfect time, Trotanoy's 1998 boasts a saturated black/purple color, as well as a gorgeous nose of truffles, licorice, black currants, overripe cherries, cedar, and coffee. Amazingly full-bodied, with fabulous concentration, and firm yet sweet tannin, this massive wine will require 8-10 years of cellaring. Those seeking a Trotanoy made in a forward 1995 or 1990 style, will need to re-calibrate their palates when tasting this blockbuster. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2025.
-Wine Advocate #122 Apr 1999

This is getting close to mature. It only took 26 years. But it was worth the wait. The wine is regal, plush, opulent, and intense with layers of perfectly ripe, powerful, strong black and red fruits, truffles the size of footballs, a bowl of Valrhona chocolate, and an orchard of ripe berries. The wine is palate-staining with its non-stop intensity. This is a muscular Pomerol with a refined edge that offers a thrilling tasting experience. In another decade, this could be a triple-digit wine. My instincts say it is highly possible. Drink from 2024-2050. Tasted Jan 2024

(95% merlot and 5% cabernet franc; 3.72 pH; IPT 71; 13.5% alcohol): Bright ruby-red with a hint of garnet at the rim. Knockout deep, nuanced nose of blackcurrant, red cherry, violets and truffle. Supple, broad and full in the mouth, with smoky blackberry, caramel and spicy pepper flavors. The finish is long and silky, with ultrasmooth tannins and a lingering mineral note. This impeccably balanced wine is utterly irresistible already. "An exceptional wine and one of the best examples of Trotanoy ever," according to Jean-Claude Berrouet. I couldn't agree more. Ian D'Agata

Tasted at the Trotanoy vertical in Hong Kong, the 1998 Trotanoy seemed to go through a dumb phase, however, this bottle suggests that it is coming through the other side. It has a rich and opulent bouquet with plenty of blackberry and raspberry fruit, cloves and smoke, a touch of Cuban cigar developing with time, dovetailing into more red fruit on the second half. The palate is well balanced even though it has more weight and girth than the 1990 Trotanoy. What is surprising is the structure and the backbone of this Pomerol, atypical for the vintage. I can see this Trotanoy aiming for the long-haul, perhaps a 40- to 50-year wine. One of the true Pomerol-lovers. Tasted November 2016.

Full, deep medium ruby. Ineffable, vibrant aromas of blackberry, boysenberry, minerals, violet, bitter chocolate and mint. Dense, rich and mouthfilling, but still a bit youthfully monolithic. Subtle notes of torrefaction and mint add complexity to the dark berry flavors. A wine of great finesse and class, likely to develop very slowly in bottle. Drink between 2010 and 2025.

Just pure gold in Pomerol, the 1998 offers a still youthful color as well as a heavenly nose of ripe red, black, and blue fruits intermixed with notes of flowers, truffly earth, and cedarwood. The purity of fruit as well as elegance paired with power is just about off the charts, and it's full-bodied, with perfectly integrated tannins, flawless balance, and a finish that won't quit. One of the finest Pomerols to pass my lips, it's firmly in its prime drink window, but I wouldn't be surprised to see this evolve for another 20 years or more. Tasted Nov 2021