2022, Château Trotte Vieille, SAINT-ÉMILION, 1er Grand Cru Classé

Bordeaux Blend: Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon.

This Saint Emilion property is owned by the Castéja family of Château Batailley.
50% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot.

The quality of the 2022 Trotte Vieille took me by surprise, but clearly more diligent viticulture, combined with a new winery equipped with fully 26 vats for the estate's 11 hectares of vineyards, is beginning to pay off, as this is the most complete, integrated young wine I have ever tasted at this address. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, rose petals, violets and incense, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with a deep core of vibrant fruit, beautifully refined tannins and a long, saline finish. 94-96 William Kelley, Wine Advocate.

The 2022 Trotte Vieille has an intense bouquet that is well-defined albeit coated with the oak at the moment - this will be subsumed with time. There is an underlying orange pith/tangerine element lending nuance. The palate is very harmonious on the entry with pliant tannins. Very precise, silky smooth in texture thanks to the use of their new cuveries equipped with smaller vats. Very stylish. 94-96 Neal Martin, Vinous.

Even with its location on the heart of the Asteries limestone plateau the colour is insanely dark, a clear imprint of the vintage. This is the second vintage in Trotte Vielle's new cellars, and it's totally gorgeous, rich and creamy in its delivery of blackberry and blueberry fruits, feels complete, complex and balanced, with the chocolate and damson core given lift and finesse by a salted cracker and saffran finish. 100% new oak, beautiful wine from the team here, owned by Philippe Casteja. 95 Jane Anson.

Drinking Window: 2032 - 2060