Tucked away on the western edge of the Pomerol plateau, amidst a row of stately cypress trees, lies the historic Chateau Trotanoy estate. In 1953, the renowned Moueix family, who also own the legendary Petrus vineyard, acquired this prestigious property. The estate's name derives from the local term "Trop Ennuyeux", meaning "too much to bother with" or "too annoying" - a nod to the challenging, uneven terrain of the vineyards.
Interestingly, this once-difficult terrain is now highly regarded for viticulture. The 7.2 hectares Trotanoy vineyard enjoys a gentle westward slope, with the upper sectors containing a healthy proportion of gravel. This gravel contributes complexity and minerality to the wines, while the lower elevations dominated by clay impart density and structure.
Following Moueix’s style, Trotanoy's viticultural and winemaking practices closely mirror those of its prestigious neighbour, Petrus. Today, the vineyards are planted entirely to Merlot, with the grapes hand harvested and meticulously sorted before traditional vinification. The wine is then aged for 16 to 18 months in 50% new French oak barrels due to Trotanoy's robust structure.
The resulting wines are renowned for their exceptional ageing potential, opulent personalities with dark fruit and earthy character, and creamy, concentrated profiles with dark chocolate notes – qualities that are rarely found outside of the finest Bordeaux. Under the stewardship of the Moueix family, Trotanoy's reputation soared in the 1960s and 1970s, with the 1982 vintage becoming a true benchmark.
More recently, Trotanoy has consistently earned high praise from critics, with many vintages since 2014 scoring 97 points or above from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. This iconic Pomerol estate is a must-try for any serious Bordeaux enthusiast seeking to experience the splendour of the appellation's finest.
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