Château Trotte Vieille Saint-Emilion 2018 - 1er Grand Cru Classé B

The nose offers notes of milk caramel and black cherry—very characteristic of this vintage—with a mouthwatering hint of pepper. On the palate, it stands out for its elegance and exceptional freshness. Once bottled, it could very well rank among the top five wines of Saint-Emilion.

Since the late 1990s, when Philippe Castéja took the helm—supported by the late winemaker Denis Dubourdie—this estate, magnificently situated on the limestone plateau just northeast of the village of Saint-Émilion, has captivated wine lovers with its bold intensity as well as its balance, finesse, and freshness, offering the character of a distinguished Saint-Émilion—long and slender—with all the elegance of great Cabernet Francs from very old vines, which often make up the majority of the blend. A recent vertical tasting demonstrates once again that this wine ranks among the very greatest of the Right Bank.

One of Borie-Manoux’s flagship wines. Legend has it that an elderly lady who once lived on the estate would trot out to catch up on the latest news from the stagecoach passing by. Now managed by Philippe Castéja, this 12-hectare vineyard, located on the eastern slope of the Saint-Émilion plateau, features a unique blend of grape varieties, with equal parts Merlot and Cabernet.

Still true to its classic qualities, this wine is certainly full-bodied, especially in this vintage, where it has managed to preserve its freshness while building on the finesse of fruit softened by oak that harmonizes the ripe, smooth profile with tannins full of elegance. The plateau’s limestone soils have once again made their mark in the vintage’s rich and well-balanced texture.

A traditional Premier Cru of Saint-Émilion, Trotte Vieille is situated on a superb hillside slightly set apart from its peers, capable of producing refined, elegant wines with great aging potential. It boasts a rare stock of very old Cabernet Franc vines, from which the château produces a micro-cuvée that is not sold commercially. Philippe Castéja embarked on a clear revitalization effort in the early 2000s, drawing on the expert advice of the late Denis Dubourdieu. The estate produces a classically styled wine that displays a certain austerity when released en primeur, emphasizing not opulence but rather the freshness of the texture and fruit. We awarded it its second star in 2015. Following the 2012 classification, the entire vineyard of Château Bergat (3.5 hectares) is now eligible to be included in Trotte Vieille. For the time being, part of the crop is set aside to enhance the second wine, La Vieille Dame de Trotte Vieille.

A beautiful bouquet of delicate flowers, somewhere between blackcurrant blossoms and wallflowers, that unfolds into a captivating palate—extremely rich, sumptuous, and enveloping like a lovely cocoon—with a dense, lingering finish of mocha.

This wine reveals itself to be full of finesse. It offers freshness, fruit, and a distinct character that it displays and highlights with precision. On the palate, the wine is compact, delicious, and endowed with supportive tannins. These tannins are tight and compact, and in perfect harmony with the acidity. Here, there is class, vibrancy, and character. A fruity finish. A fine achievement.

A deep, intense, beautiful, uniform, and youthful red color. An intense, delicate, fruity, pure, and subtle nose. A creamy and slightly smoky note. Meticulously crafted on the palate, particularly aromatic in the mid-palate, with a velvety body, smoothness, and elegance on the palate; the wine finishes long, slightly understated but very distinguished, with refined tannins. A superb wine that is not overwhelmed by the year’s high alcohol content.

The nose offers notes of iris, blackcurrant buds, and "al dente" black fruits, revealing great delicacy and a refined, subtle bouquet. On the palate, it is juicy, with velvety, perfectly savory tannins, beautiful aromas of fresh fruit, and a most refined mineral quality. A magnificent wine that will age beautifully and retain its delicacy. Bravo!