2006 Chateau Trotanoy, Pomerol

Tasted at JP Moueix. A great Trotanoy. Superb definition and freshness on the nose with a floral touch: violets and a touch of hawthorn. The palate has great poise and intensity of fruit and is velvety smooth. Ripe black fruits, blood orange and dried apricots. Clams up towards the tannic finish: this will need many years of ageing, but it will be worth the wait. For true Pomerol lovers. Tasted April 2007.

Showing better than it did from barrel, the 2006 Trotanoy does have one consistent characteristic that seems to be pervasive no matter what the vintage’s style and personality is – an earthy, big-boned, brawny, muscular style. This wine is deep, rich, full-bodied, with loads of meaty black cherry fruit intermixed with crushed rocks, truffle, and a hint of autumnal vegetation. The wine is broad, deep, and built for serious connoisseurs with cellars to wait it out. This wine needs 4-5 years of cellaring and should keep for at least two decades. It is an impressive Trotanoy, but not one for those unable to defer their gratification.

Deep crimson and looks pretty youthful still. Big and bold and heady. Very sweet and even a little bit sickly. Absolutely on the cusp between too forced and a great dramatic true Pomerol. I will give it the benefit of the doubt! It's long but it's a bit dry on the end. (JR)