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2021 Château Trotte Vieille, St Emilion, Bordeaux
- Red
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- Cabernet Franc (54%), Merlot (45%), Cabernet Sauvignon (1%)
Not ready
(Drink 2026 - 2043)
- William Kelley
- 92-94/100
- Neal Martin
- 93-95/100
- Jane Anson MW
- 93/100
- James Suckling
- 94-95/100
Product: 20211015968
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Description
Cabernet Franc 54%, Merlot 45%, Cabernet Sauvignon 1%
Trotte Vieille has some astonishingly old Cabernet Franc vines, some 120 years old. These are now fermented separately in a rotatable 15-hectolitre oak globe, itself an amazing work of cooperage. From this, 100 litres are taken for a varietal vieilles vignes bottling and the rest is in this blend. Frédéric Castéja has also built a new winery close to Troplong Mondot to house this gem. This 2021 is powerfully dense and fragrant, but also leavened by the freshness of the vintage.
Our score: 16/20
Berry Bros. & Rudd
Colour Red
Sweetness Dry
Vintage 2021
Alcohol % 13.5%
Maturity Not ready
(2026 - 2043)
Grape List Cabernet Franc (54%), Merlot (45%), Cabernet Sauvignon (1%)
Body Medium Bodied
Producer Château Trotte Vieille
Critics reviews
William Kelley 92-94/100
The first vintage made in the estate's new winery, the 2021 Trotte Vieille has turned out beautifully, offering up aromas of sweet berries and cherries mingled with burning embers, rose petals and raw cocoa. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and polished, it's impressively deep and serious. It's a blend of 54% Cabernet Franc, 45% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Neal Martin 93-95/100
The 2021 Trotte Vieille is the first vintage vinified in the new facility, using 25 vats for 11.5 hectares that Frederic Castèja told me allowed them more flexibility to pick exactly when they wanted. Matured entirely in new oak plus a couple of amphorae, it has a very detailed bouquet of blackberry, raspberry and a hint of licorice and crushed stone. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, certainly more detailed than previous vintages, and quite saline in the mouth, with a persistent finish. Classic in style, it has the tension to repay long-term cellaring. It may well end up at the top of my banded score.
Drink 2030 - 2060
Drink 2030 - 2060
Jane Anson MW 93/100
This austere vintage suits the style of Trottevieille, but risks being over-strict, and needs time to put flesh on the bones over ageing. Plenty of floral aromatics right off the bat, following by a mouthwatering combination of pumice-stone salinity, cassis and blackberry fruits, fennel and white pepper spice. Will take its time, but reward patience. 32hl/h yield, 100% new oak. First year in new winery, with double the number of vats 12 up to 25). Axel Marchal consultant.
Drink 2017 - 2042
Drink 2017 - 2042
James Suckling 94-95/100
This is very tangy and bright with real cabernet franc character, showing currant, orange and fresh-herb notes. Medium body with wonderful energy and acidity. Fine tannins. Racy and juicy. 54% cabernet franc, 45% merlot, and 1% cabernet sauvignon.
About this wine
Saint-Emilion
First officially classified in 1954, St-Émilion is one of Bordeaux's largest winemaking appellations, producing more wine than Listrac, Moulis, St Estèphe, Pauillac, St Julien and Margaux combined. Many of the region's finest vineyards can be found atop the steep limestone slopes of the village itself, although a fledgling band of garagiste producers are eschewing terroir to make small-batch, deeply-concentrated wines from their homes.
Find out more