Description: This vineyard has, literally, come of age again. Opaque ruby in colour, the nose is compressed with flashes only of sweet fruit-caked, spicy red fruits and an enormous sense of latent power. Rich, layered in flavour and profoundly concentrated on the palate, Trotanoy possesses that eery quality which allies silken density and profound concentration with perfect balance that lifts the weight to a finish that is sustained and of exceptional length. Great, great wine.
Robert Parker: Wine Advocate # 188. Apr 2010. Reviewer : Robert Parker. I don’t know what the 1961 Trotanoy tasted like in its youth, but the 2009 unquestionably surpasses the 1982 (which was the finest effort since the 1961) and eclipses anything made since. By far the greatest Trotanoy of my professional career, the 2009 boasts a dense plum/purple color as well as a meaty, earthy nose buttressed by enormous quantities of black fruits, cherries, and spice. Abundant glycerin, viscosity, purity, and elegance are all part of this massive, exuberant, powerful Trotanoy. One of the most prodigious wines of the vintage, it should come into its own in 8-10 years, and last 30-40 years thereafter. (Tasted once.) Drink: 2018 - 2058.
Jancis Robinson: Published : 08-Apr-2010. Very dark. Juicy, savoury, complete on the nose. Very ripe with some liquorice and treacle toffee. Extremely opulent and reverberant. Lots of black notes on the palate. Exotic and with savoury dry finish. Really interesting wine. Dense and almost tarry but without the drying tannins on the finish sometimes associated with that character. Well done! Very long and satisfying. But dramatic. No prisoners' style of wine. When to drink : 2018 to 2032.
Wine Spectator: Updated: April 15, 2010. A nose of dark chocolate and crushed raspberry evolves to blackberry and ripe raspberry. Full-bodied, with chewy and powerful tannins that leave a rich and mouthpuckering finish. This is a big and powerful Trot. Wow. Haven't tasted a Trot like this in decades. —J.S.
Stephen Tanzer: May/Jun 10. By Ian D'Agata. Full, deep red-ruby. Sexy aromas of ripe strawberry, chocolate-covered raspberry, mocha and smoke are nicely lifted by a whiff of pure violet. Captivating and exotic Pomerol, with lush flavors of superripe raspberry, roasted meat and musky coffee. In spite of its juicy sweetness, this is rather backward today, with substantial brooding tannins calling for years of patience. Unbelievably seamless and powerful, this enchanting wine's finish goes on for minutes. A monumental Trotanoy that has the perfume of a grand cru Burgundy.
Decanter: James Lawther MW, Decanter.com, 18.5 pts - "Deep colour. Intense. Firm but refined tannins. Caressing attack, exceptional fruit then great persistence on the finish. Trademark minerally freshness provides balance. Drink 2020-2045.
Chris Kissack, thewinedoctor.com, 17.5-18.5+/20pts - "A Mouiex wine. A richly coloured, glossy wine, with a crimson-blue rim. Great concentration in the glass. A very pure and reserved style of fruit on the nose, creamy but with good breadth. The palate has a very polished start, before immediately flattening out, but then broadening in the palate to reveal a spread of well polished fruits. Very ripe tannins, running like a thread through the entire wine, building a succulent texture towards the finish. Bright acidity. This is very cleanly structured with a precise balance. An exceptional style, a real
vin de garde. Bravo! "
Neal Martin, erobertparker.com, 96-98pts - "Tasted at JP Moueix. This has a super-concentrated nose with vibrant black fruits, black cherries, a touch of graphite and smoke, billowing with aeration. Very well defined and controlled. Hints of Xmas cake developing with time. The palate is full-bodied with thick, almost chewy tannins, but exquisite balance and harmony, this represents a Trotanoy that wants to make a big impression...and it does. Rounded, intense black, earthy/clayey fruit towards the finish that has immense persistency. Gargantuan! Tasted April 2010."
Tim Atkin, www.timatkin.com, 99 pts - "The J-P Moueix tasting was of a very high standard this year, but this was the stand out wine for me. It’s very deeply coloured, showing rich, sumptuous aromas of coffee bean, plum and blackberry. The palate is beautifully structured, even at this young age, with lovely balance between tannins, oak, acidity and fruit. An exceptional Pomerol . 20+ years."
Vinification: The hand-picked fruit is delivered to the cellars, where it is vinified in small concrete vats for up to ten days, followed by a week of maceration on the skins. The barrels at Trotanoy are typically only one-third to one-half new each vintage, and the wines is kept within typically for 18 months prior to bottling.
