| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This Saint Emilion property is owned by the Castéja family of Château Batailley. Quality has been impressive here in recent vintages. The vineyard is planted with 50% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc - some of which is over 100 years old - with 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
The 2024 is 56% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 41% Merlot. Maturation in 100% new oak. Yield 32 hl/ha and alcohol 14% thanks to a little reverse osmosis.
Deep garnet-purple colored. Needs quite a lot of swirling to coax out notes of black cherries, raspberry coulis, and boysenberries, leading to hints of cedar chest, rose oil, sassafras, and anise. The light to medium-bodied palate shimmers with energy delivering ripe, fine-grained tannins and bold freshness to support the mineral laced red berry flavors, finishing long and perfumed. Stunning!
56% Cabernet Franc, 21% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon.
The 2024 Trotte Vieille was picked from 20 September to 5 October and matured entirely in new oak, with a small proportion aged in amphora. It has a lovely bouquet with redcurrant and black plum scents that gain amplitude with aeration. Not as intense as the impressive '22, but it has plenty of charm. The palate is medium-bodied with fluid tannins that lend a silky texture. The oak is well-judged and integrated, gaining weight towards the latter half. The finish is composed with just the right amount of piquancy. This is a delightful Saint-Émilion that will provide a great deal of pleasure. 2030 - 2050
Ideally situated on the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion, this estate consistently produces wines of great finesse without sacrificing body, even in challenging vintages. The 2024 Trotte Vieille is no exception, offering up bright aromas of licorice, pencil shavings, dark berries and flowers. Medium to full-bodied, layered and impeccably balanced, it offers notable depth at the core, a juicy, fleshy mid-palate and a long, ethereal finish marked by chalky dry extract. The Cabernet Franc imparts a linear, ethereal structure, while the Merlot—harvested at optimal ripeness—contributes roundness and texture, seamlessly enrobing the wine’s core. This is a blend of 56% Cabernet Franc, 31% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon.
Mid ruby colour. The nose is full of summer pudding fruit and sourdough bread crust, with a spicy wood note in the background. The palate is very lithe and narrow, creating a linear fruit profile of violets, peonies and more of that bread crust character. This is crunchy and focused, but I would like a little more flesh.
Rather compacted and structured on the palate with fresh, energizing fruit. Tight and precise, this has tannins that sneak up at the end, giving it focus. Real length in the finish. Elegant and refined. Very typical Bordeaux. A blend of 56% cabernet franc, 41% merlot and 3% cabernet sauvignon.
Concentrated, medium intensity ruby red colour. On the opening this is restrained, elegant, pared back, with well delivered juice that just slowly infuses the palate with lift and sinewed salinity; This is a well balanced and confident wine, great quality. 100% new oak, 3.45ph. Tasted twice. Axel Marchal and Thomas Duclos consultants.
The 2024 Trotte Vieille is a potent, explosive wine. An exotic mélange of black fruit, new leather, chocolate, espresso, menthol and licorice literally stains the palate. As always, Trotte Vieille is such a distinctive wine. The finish is perhaps a touch light. Then again, this is 2024. Today, Trotte Vieille comes across as raw and not totally put together, but its pedigree and potential are undeniably present. Drink: 2034-2054
