| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This blockbuster 2005 is dense ruby/purple, with sweet black cherries, cassis, earth and white chocolate in both aromas and flavors. A strong, mineral-dominated, powerful wine (90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc), it is extremely backward, super-concentrated, and tasting more like blood of Merlot than any other Pomerol. Dense purple, super-rich, and stunning, this wine has at least a 20- to 30-year upside to it. An absolutely spectacular effort from this great terroir, it can be drunk now, but patience will be rewarded. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2040.
The 2005 Trotanoy replicated its previous showings. It still has a dense, almost impenetrable bouquet, layer upon layer of intense red fruit lacked with bay leaf, black truffle, those iris and violets (particularly the first on this occasion.) The palate is even more structured here than I remember it in Hong Kong back in November 2016: huge backbone, great depth but everything is alleviated by the silver thread of acidity. I would not go near this for another decade but to repeat my previous sentiments – what enormous potential. Served by Christian Moueix at lunch. 2028 - 2055
The 2005 Trotanoy is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-brick in color, it is little closed and broody on the nose to begin, needing a fair bit of swirling to reveal baked plums, blackberry pie, raisin cake, and pencil lead notes, plus touches of dried sage, new leather, and fallen leaves. Medium to full-bodied, firm, and chewy, with a lively line supporting the maturing fruit, it finishes long and minerally. With a good decant to bring out the bouquet, this is within its drinking window and should cellar a further 20 years+. Chateau Trotanoy has been owned by JP Moueix since 1953. Located on the Pomerol plateau, to the west of the region, the soil is largely deep gravel and clay with a crass de fer or blue clay subsoil in places.
A wine that famously takes its time to come around, and the colour remains robust ruby at 17 years old, with pale sunrise red around the edges. Still plenty of ripe and young berry fruit on the nose, followed by melted tannins and gently-smoked caramel - showcasing the generosity of Pomerol in a way that Trotanoy sometimes hides when young. Cigar box, Christmas spice, liqourice, edges of bitter black chocolate, tapenade, mocha and menthol, still building in power over the palate, on the precipe of tertiary truffle and rose petal flavours. Just so engaging. Last tasted a few years ago, and it has noticeably stepped into its tasting window. A wine that makes you smile, and immediately reach for another glass - and a friend to share it with. Owned by the Moueix family, and a moment at the property when they had introduced smaller tanks in the cellar, and more precision in harvesting with small baskets. 50% new oak.
Mid crimson. Meat and leather on the nose. Sleek with a beautiful texture - most unusual in 2005 because the tannins are virtually submerged in well-polished fruit. Fairly dry but not drying on the finish. Very fine. 13.5%
Drink 2018-2040
Good bright, dark red. Sexy red berries, iron, mocha and caramel on the nose; an essence of Pomerol merlot. Suave on entry, then sweet but gripping in the middle, with integrated acidity giving terrific definition and thrust to the multifaceted flavors of red berries, minerals, iron and spices. A wonderfully vibrant wine that saturates the entire palate without conveying any impression of weight. With its finishing medicinal austerity, this outstanding wine appears already to be shutting down in bottle. Should prove to be the most exciting vintage for this chateau since the great 1998.
Full-bodied, powerful tannic frame, intense but lively fruit character. Virile, slightly brooding with the extra depth of fruit this vintage provides. Long ageing. Drink 2015-2035.
Came 28th out of 184 wines
Complex aromas of sweet black cherries, loamy soil, roasted herbs, coffee, chocolate, and oak dominate the backward, muscular, virile 2005 Trotanoy. Deep ruby/purple to the rim, this broodingly backward, deep Pomerol exhibits admirable intensity, impressive purity, and a long, concentrated finish. Its character is similar to that of the 1998, but with more structure and tannin. I suspect my score will prove to be conservative after a decade of bottle age. Along with Petrus and Lafleur, Trotanoy is the most backward of all the Pomerols. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2035.
Earthy, sweet black cherries dominate this powerful, virile 2005 Trotanoy. It reveals huge tannin, massive concentration, and formidable depth and intensity. While it may not achieve the greatness of the 1998, it is a stunning wine built for those with considerable patience. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030+.
A closed, muscular, masculine, tannic effort, the 2005 Trotanoy reveals scents of crushed rocks, new saddle leather, roasted meats, black cherries, and charcoal. Medium-bodied, dense, ruggedly built as well as deep, it will be a long-lived Pomerol, but will offer little charm in its youth. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2026.
Tasted at the Trotanoy vertical in Hong Kong, the 2005 Trotanoy has been an awesome Pomerol since birth. Now at 12 years old, the "giant" is beginning to flex its muscles. It has more red than black fruit, more floral than the likes of the 2000 or 2001, beautifully defined with raspberry coulis, wild strawberry, clove and bay leaf, iris and violet unfurling with continued aeration. The palate has a pleasurable grainy texture and fine salinity. The acidity is extremely well judged, and there is the structure and backbone, perhaps even the stubbornness that defines this great vineyard. There is enormous potential here. Tasted November 2016. Drink Date 2022 - 2055
The Château Trotanoy 2005 has a tough job following the La Conseillante '05 - this is far more broody and taciturn (as usual) with blackberry, black truffle, a touch of boot polish and lavender. But those aromas are being kept on a very tight leash. The palate is medium-bodied and deceptively complex with beautifully judged acidity, hints of cured meat infusing the red berry fruit, fanning out gently with hints of Provençal herbs and dried blood. This is an understated Trotanoy, perhaps one that might be shouted over by the more ""vociferous"" Right Bank wine - but it is one of the most nuanced Pomerol '05s. Drink 2020 - 2055
Extremely floral aromas with raspberry and cherry undertones. Full-bodiedm with chewy tannins and a long finish. This is very structured. Muscular. Best ever?
Blackish crimson, sweet start. Pretty dramatic rendition of Pomerol but not too painful to taste. Polished. Still lots of dry tannin but it's not painful or drying or exaggerated - quite fresh in fact.
Bright crimson. Fragrant and aromatic. Very smooth, enveloping fresh sweetness on the front palate though certainly not opulent at this stage. This wine is all in the finish, which builds in the most extraordinary way. Quite demanding of the taster. It would be easy to dismiss this wine for its lack of immediate impact but there's a heck of a lot going on there on the back palate. Very, very long. Moueix. Drink 2017-32
