Chateau Trotanoy 2020

Tasting Characteristics and Advice for Château Trotanoy 2020

Tasting

Color

The color displays a deep purple-ruby hue, almost black at the core of the glass, with intensity maintained all the way to the rim.

Nose

The bouquet reveals remarkable complexity, with aromas of black cherries, ripe plums and blackberries, interwoven with notes of candied violets, dark chocolate, truffle and forest floor. Spicy nuances of star anise, licorice and clove complete this aromatic palette, alongside mineral touches of graphite and pencil lead.

Palate

On the palate, the wine unfolds exceptional concentration with intense flavors of dark fruits, cherries, blackcurrant and blackberries. The tannic structure is both velvety and powerful, with fine, perfectly ripe tannins. The whole offers a silky, polished texture, supported by remarkable freshness and a distinctive mineral dimension evoking iron and crushed stone. The finish lingers with impressive length, gradually revealing tertiary notes of earth and minerality.

Food and Wine Pairing

Château Trotanoy 2020 pairs beautifully with grilled or roasted red meats, notably beef and lamb. It also matches game such as venison or wild boar, as well as dishes featuring wild mushrooms and truffles that echo the wine’s aromas.

Serving and Cellaring

Château Trotanoy 2020 should be served at a temperature between 15 and 15.5°C. Decanting for two to three hours is strongly recommended to allow the wine to open up. This vintage can be enjoyed from around 2029 and will continue to evolve through approximately 2060-2070.

A Pomerol of character from an exceptional terroir on Bordeaux’s Right Bank

The estate

Château Trotanoy has ranked among the most prestigious growths of Pomerol since the 18th century, with vines planted as early as 1761. The name “Trotanoy” comes from the Old French “Trop Ennuie,” referring to how difficult it is to work this demanding terroir. Acquired in 1953 by Jean-Pierre Moueix, the estate is now managed by Édouard Moueix, representing the family’s third generation. The property covers 7.2 hectares, reflecting a constant commitment to quality.

The vineyard

Château Trotanoy’s vineyard occupies a prime position on the western plateau of Pomerol, at an altitude between 36 and 40 meters. The soils show remarkable complexity, with a dense mix of gravel and clay on the surface, resting on a subsoil of red gravel and sand, itself lying above the famous “crasse de fer,” that ferruginous layer characteristic of Pomerol’s greatest terroirs. The vines, averaging 35 to 40 years old with some parcels exceeding 60 years, are planted at a density of 6,200 vines per hectare. The estate practices sustainable viticulture, with four plowings per year to encourage deep rooting.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in Bordeaux was marked by exceptional weather conditions, with warm days and cool nights creating an ideal balance. This thermal alternation enabled Merlot and Cabernet Franc to reach optimal ripeness, combining power and finesse.

Winemaking and aging

Château Trotanoy 2020 is vinified in small temperature-controlled concrete vats and stainless-steel tanks, with the fermentation temperature kept at 26°C to promote gentle, controlled extraction. After double sorting of the grapes, both manual and optical, the wine is aged for 16 to 18 months in French oak barrels, 50% of which are new. The wine is clarified with egg white but is not filtered before bottling, thus preserving all its complexity.

Grape variety

Merlot (90%)
Cabernet Franc (10%)