A superb tasting of Chateau Trotanoy from the best vintages between 1998 to 2018. Edouard Moueix the third generation of Moueix family came to London Landmark Hotel and illustrated the terroir of Trotanoy, vintage styles, and the modern approaches (post-2005 vintage) brilliantly. Overall, I find their style very masculine and structured – Plenty of intense dark fruits, mocha, with structured tannins that requires extensive cellaring. Trotanoy has lots of similarities with Petrus (both made by the same winemaker), as well as masculine with lush dark fruits, though I find Trotanoy more tannic. My favourite vintages of Trotanoy are 2005, 2009, 2015, 2016, and 2018. Though I wouldn’t mind as pour of the slightly more old school 1998, which reminded me of the meatiness of 1989 Montrose. Strapping wines.
Terroir: Chateau Trotanoy consists of 7.2 hectare of vineyards, planted with 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc on top of white and red gravel over blue clay.
Overall Style: There is a saying Trotanoy is the poor man’s Petrus. Both Petrus and Trotanoy are made by the same winemaker in a very similar fashion. Masculine, dark fruits and dark chocolate. Great concentration with a tannic backbone.
Tasting Notes
Esperance de Trotanoy 2010
Mellow nose of sweet red berries, ripe berries and mocha. A tannic wine but doesn’t have to fruit intensity to balance out the structure. Much less low pitched compared to the lovely 2015 Esperance de Trotanoy. (83-85/100)
Esperance de Trotanoy 2015
The 2015 Esperance de Trotanoy is a significant step up from the 2010, most probably due to better sorting and overall more consistent grape quality in 2015. Esperance de Trotanoy comes from 2 and a half parcel. Creamy dark fruits intertwined with fragrant new oak spices. Full bodied with admirable fruit concentration for a second wine. Dark chocolate and lifted toast on the finish. Close quality to the first wine. (88-89/100)
Chateau Trotanoy 1998
The highly acclaimed Trotanoy 1998 is still an infant today. Old school style of structure and fragrant (less new oak / lower toast?). Rich and exuberant dark fruits and complex meaty nose, blackcurrant, mocha, earthy truffles and dark plums. Great concentration with a solid core, the meaty structure reminds me of 1989 Montrose. FYI: The winemaker preferred Trotanoy 1998 over Petrus 1998. Though I preferred the lushness of Petrus 1998. Drink from 2030. (91-92/100)
Chateau Trotanoy 2000
2000 was a vintage with large crop. Overall not as warm as 1998 but much dryer. I find the 2000 Trotanoy very similar style to the 1998, dark and reserved with lots of black fruits, meat and dry extract. Intense blackberries with dry cured meat. Full bodied, complex with layers of flavours. Drink from 2024. (91/100)
Chateau Trotanoy 2005
2005 is the first vintage of Trotanoy’s new winemaking era. Harvest in baskets, more sorting (and modern approach of oak too?). Juicy mixed fruits of dark plums, blackcurrant, sexy new oak spices, mint and toast. Beautiful fruit intensity. (92+/100)
Chateau Trotanoy 2009
The 2009 Trotanoy is possibly one of the best Trotanoy in the lineup (Best vintages between 1998 – 2018). Gorgeous nose of summer bouquet intertwined with intense dark berries, black currant, flamboyant spices and playful violet. Full bodied with sweet dark fruits and floral spices. Incredible fruit intensity and harmonious oak. A new ear of Trotanoy. Should be incredible in 15 years time. (92-93/100)
Chateau Trotanoy 2010
The 2010 Trotanoy is more reserved than the playful and seductive 2009. Aromatic blackcurrant, cassis, dark forest floor, mild violet, and cinnamon spices. Great concentration with lots of substance. An aristocratic wine. (92/100)
Chateau Trotanoy 2015
The 2015 reminds me of the gorgeous 2009 but with even more baby fat and juicy fruits. Great phenolic ripeness. Exuberant nose of blackberries, ripe plums and cherries. Full bodied with already silky tannins. This should be more approachable than the 2010. (93-94/100)
Chateau Trotanoy 2016
The 2016 Tortanoy is a blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, gradually increasing the proportion of Merlot. Dark and intense bouquet of sweet dark berry fruits, cassis, blackberries. Sophisticated and tightly laced. A fruitier version of 2010. Gorgeous wine. (93/100)
Chateau Trotanoy 2018
This is the final blend of the 2018 Trotanoy (one of the first to taste!). 2018 had the highest level of sunlight ever recorded. Ample violet, intense and viscous black berries, cassis, low pitched wood spices and ample dry extract. Intriguing complexion with firm structure. There is a drying tannins on the finish that reminds me of 2000, but more floral and fruity. This will need extensive cellaring. (92-93/100)
