Wonderfully perfumed with decadence and richness, showing crushed berries, fresh flowers, wet earth, orange peel and peaches. Mushrooms, too. Full-bodied, yet very tight and reserved with ultra-fine yet strong tannins. It goes on for minutes on the palate, giving a balanced and beautiful feel all along the way. A blend of 56% cabernet franc, 43% merlot and 1% cabernet sauvignon.

Cabernet Franc takes the leading role in the 2017 Trotte Vieille. Vibrant and succulent, with terrific depth, the 2017 has so much to say. It is also one of the most unique wines in all of Saint-Émilion. There is plenty to admire. The 2017 spent approximately four weeks on the skins. New oak is 100%, light toast barrels. The 2017 has the potential to surprise down the line.

About 20% of the vines were affected by frost this year. A blend of 56% Cabernet Franc, 43% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2017 Trotte Vieille is medium to deep garnet-purple in color and redolent of warm plums, crushed blackberries and blackcurrant cordial with touches of Indian spices, violets and a hint of menthol. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grainy tannins and great freshness, with an expressive core and long finish. LPB

The 2017 TrotteVieille was impacted by the frost, more the Merlot than the Cabernet Franc according to Frédéric Castèja. It was picked between 21 and 26 September. It has a tightly wound bouquet with black cherries, cedar, juniper and a light seawater aroma. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, quite structured in the mouth with plenty of tobacco-infused, black peppery dark fruit towards the finish with quite a long peppery aftertaste thanks to the Cabernet Franc.

The 2017 Château Trotte Vieille comes from the upper plateau and is 55% Cabernet Franc, 44% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a pretty, elegant, incredibly floral wine (no doubt due to the high Cabernet Franc) that’s medium-bodied, balanced, and silky. It’s aging in 100% new French oak, but it certainly doesn’t taste like it, and it shines for its purity of fruit, fine tannin, and undeniable elegance.