Trottevieille 2012

The 2012 Trotte Vieille has an attractive bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, cedar and light liquorice aromas that blossom in the glass. This has better delineation than its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip and a fine bead of acidity. A little granular in texture, this feels focused and overtly spicy with a generous sprinkling of black pepper on the finish. I would happily drink this now, but it should keep for another decade. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.

The 2012 Trotte Vieille is medium to deep garnet colored. Notes of dried roses, kirsch, and blackberry preserves leap from the glass followed by hints of smoked meats and licorice. The medium-bodied palate delivers ripe, rounded tannins, with a lively backbone to lift the perfumed fruit to a long finish.