The estate
The origin of the name "Trottevieille" dates back several hundred years. Legend has it that there was once a stagecoach stop near the château. As soon as a team stopped, an elderly lady trotted down to get the news, hence the name “Trotte Vieille” (meaning “the Trot of the Elderly”). This Premier Grand Cru Classe of Saint-Émilion, Château Trotte Vieille, is home to a small parcel of vines rescued from the terrible damage caused by phylloxera during the second half of the 19th century.
The vineyard
Superbly situated on the top of the Saint-Emilion plateau and extending over 10 hectares in a single block, the south-west facing vineyard of Château Trotte Vieille has a terroir of reddish soil on limestone rock.
The blend
Château Trotte Vieille 2011 comprises a blend of Merlot (50%), Cabernet Franc (48%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (2%).
A serious effort, the 2011 Trottevieille boasts an inky/purple color as well as a tannic, masculine style that begs for some bottle age. Impressively concentrated with notes of licorice, black currants and a subtle touch of oak, and a powerful, long finish, this is a noteworthy effort in a challenging vintage. Forget it for 2-3 years and drink it over the following two decades. It is made by consultants Denis Dubourdieu and Gilles Pauquet.