Wow, this is really something. It is full and powerful with truly impressive depth of fruit. Yet, it remains agile and structural, with flexed muscles, balanced by a sense of floating. Well defined and poised. 53% cabernet franc, 44% merlot, and 3% cabernet. Will it be better than 2022?

The 2023 Trotte Vieille has really grown with élevage. Dark fruit, grilled herbs, menthol, licorice and chocolate stain the palate. Time in the glass brings out the wine's textural resonance and explosive energy. The long, sustained finish is a thing of beauty. Trotte Vieille, with its high percentage of Cabernet Franc, is one of the most distinctive wines in Bordeaux.

Coming from a seriously good terroir on the upper plateau of Saint-Emilion, the 2023 Château Trotte Vieille is always a more Cabernet Franc-dominated blend and one that needs air to show at its best. Its deep purple hue is followed by a ripe, powerful nose of crème de cassis and assorted darker, almost blue fruits intermixed with roasted herbs, tobacco, dark chocolate, and a kiss of violets. Concentrated and medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has ripe, sweet, yet building tannins and a great finish. It has enough fruit to offer pleasure today yet is built for the long haul as well. Hide bottles for 4-5 years if possible and enjoy over the following two decades. Drink 2029-2053.

The 2023 Trotte Vieille has quite a floral bouquet with plenty of raspberry and crushed strawberry fruit and hints of potpourri emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with sapid red fruit and fine structure. Though it doesn't possess the sheer horsepower and length of the previous vintage it has an animated peppery finish that lingers in the mouth. Proprietor Frédéric Castèja actually prefers this to the 2022 and I can see why.