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 is a seriously impressive wine. Dark resonant and explosive the 2023 packs a huge punch. A blast of dark fruit herbs menthol spice and licorice saturates the palate with pretty floral and savory notes that play off all that richness. Superb. Drink 2030-2053.

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.