Château TrotteVieille Saint-Emilion 2025 - 1er Grand Cru Classé B (Primeurs)

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.

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.

Extremely refined tannins that fade on the palate, with enticing aromas of black fruit and a citrus finish. This wine is characterized by its elegance and structure. 51% Cabernet Franc, 46% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon.

With an intense purple color, the Château Trottevieille 2025 is composed of 51% Cabernet Franc, 46% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, all aged in new oak barrels. It offers an absolutely brilliant nose of blackcurrant, graphite, wood smoke, and crushed stone. On the palate, it is full-bodied and concentrated, with beautiful depth in the mid-palate, ripe and polished tannins, impeccable overall balance, and a superb finish.

The nose is very expressive; the 51% Cabernet Franc imparts a vegetal character—in the noble sense of the term. The attack is both rich and velvety, and the tannins are well-integrated. It is powerful and full-bodied, refined and spicy. It has real depth—a wine that will age for decades.

The depth of the bouquet can be summed up by the way it gradually unfolds, revealing its complexity as the minutes pass. Notes of rose petals and violets highlight its freshness; the chalky character reveals the terroir; and notes of ripe black berries and a hint of roasted flavors reflect the sunny nature of the vintage. Ultimately, it is harmony that truly shines through! The velvety character of the attack gives way to a linear wine carried by powerful tannins. These tannins do not reveal themselves all at once; they gradually gain intensity as they travel across the palate, carefully weaving a connection with the invigorating and energizing quality of the acidity. Harmony certainly takes center stage, but it must share the spotlight with power, followed by the acidic structure and the freshness that comes with it… So, in truth, everything takes center stage! This is all the more delightful because the freshness refuses to be intimidated. It calmly takes its place amidst this power, offering a welcome balance within a striking and vigorous context. It must be said that it has compelling qualities: brightness, great depth, and an exceptional array of aromas. A lively, mouth-watering, vibrant, and persistent wine. Yet another great success from Trotte-Vieille. It’s captivating and exhilarating, driven by freshness and vigor, with subtlety as its driving force. 2030–2065

Deep purple color with violet highlights and a black core. An elegant nose with expressive aromas of fruit, blackberries, and mulberries, along with delicate floral notes, subtle oak, light toasted notes, and sweet spices in the background. On the palate, the wine is well-structured with firm yet ripe tannins, lovely acidity, very elegant and expressive fruit, as well as subtle toasty notes and sweet spices in the background. Very juicy character with a compelling finish.