Château Trotte Vieille 2024

Luminous ruby color with great aromatic depth, marked by minerality; dark cherries, cassis, raspberries, herbal spice, licorice. On the palate, silky, with a creamy texture; a crisp, sweet fruit core; perfectly ripe tannins wrapping the fruit like velvet and silk. The wine builds impressive drive, yet practically dances across the tongue, lingering on red and dark berries with a hint of licorice. Anyone claiming that 2024 produced no great wines should try this superb, highly elegant Trotte Vieille.

Fragrant blackcurrant aromas with milk chocolate and a touch of vanilla. Clean and succulent, brimming with life and energy from the start. Mouthwatering acidity with both a subtle sweetness and a cool touch of mint, graphite and pencil lead. Great texture—so silky smooth, with refinement and elegance. Such a classy expression. Focus, precision and flavor. I like the structure and the clear minty, aniseed finish. 100% new oak is among the highest, but this wine feels like it can take it, as the acidity keeps the expression lifted. Delicious. Perhaps less TrotteVieille signature than usual but really good. 75–80% grand vin. Aging in 100% new oak. pH 3.55.

Licorice, flowers, espresso, black plums, and chocolate-covered cherries are abundant here. Medium-bodied, fresh, refined, and silky, the fruits glide smoothly across your palate, leading to a sophisticated finish that concludes with a subtle hint of chocolate mint. The wine blends 56% Cabernet Franc, 41% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14% ABV. The harvest took place September 20 - October 5. Drink from 2028-2044. 92-94 Pts

From the outset, the bouquet of Trotte Vieille signals ambitions rooted in precision, subtlety and depth. It unveils a wealth of nuances, starting with its élevage, which acts as a support rather than a signature! Iris, black-berry and liquorice notes take center stage. With fine density, the wine convinces through its linear—almost slender—profile and the serene nature of its power. That power is not showy; like the élevage, it carries the whole with perfectly integrated, fine-grained tannins. Structuring acidity provides a solid backbone and brings freshness along with a real sense of spirit. An elegant, authentic, chalky, vibrant and persistent wine. What a superb success! This wine reminds us that to shine, there is no need to be loud—simply be yourself, know how to stand in front without artifice, trusting your team and your terroir. A Trotte Vieille that clearly stands above the vintage. That is the nature of great wines in 2024. And it is my 666th 2024, but it is not diabolical—rather divine!