Chateau Trotanoy 2017

JAMES SUCKLING: JAMES SUCKLING:"A very pure nose that exudes poise and precision, in every aspect of this wine’s composition. Aromas of violets, blueberries, cedar, fresh truffle, wet earth and plums lead to a palate that offers a very full, plush and intense core of pristinely ripened red-plum fruit and mouthwatering freshness, as well as tannins that imbue the long, balanced finish with great clarity. Incredible triumph for the vintage. Try from 2023."

WEINWISSER: WEINWISSER:"Granatrubin mit aufhellendem Rand. Royales Bouquet mit schwarzbeerigen Konturen, Eisenkraut und zarter Mentholnote. Im zweiten Ansatz Brazil-Tabak, Szechuanpfeffer und Sandelholz. Am kräftigen Gaumen mit zupackendem Tanningerüst, seidiger Textur und fleischigem Extrakt. Im gebündelten, nicht enden wollenden Finale schwingt sich der Gigant zu einem Höhenflug auf, Wildkirschen und frisch zerstossene Pfefferkörner gepaart mit dunkler Mineralik. Hat mich bereits während den Primeurs völlig in seinen Bann gezogen und verteidigt seine Spitzenposition in Pomerol zu Recht. Tipp: Finger weg und genügend Geduld mitbringen."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: THE WINEADVOCATE:"Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Trotanoy is 100% Merlot and begins quite stubborn and broody on the nose at this youthful stage, needing a lot of coaxing to reveal a core of plum preserves, blackberry pie and licorice with suggestions of cast-iron pan, underbrush, tilled soil and charcoal. Medium-bodied, the palate is not at all weighty, but it is built like a brick house, with bags of restrained, muscular fruit and a solid line of firm, grainy tannins, finishing with epic length and fantastic tension. A very impressive wine that should by incredibly long-lived!"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER:"A star of the vintage, this is a stunner. If you are a Pomerol lover and you are not intimately familiar with Trotanoy, put it on your priority list. They have been on a hot streak for over two decades! And this one is pure decadence."

WINE SPECTATOR: WINESPECTATOR:"A lush, velvety Pomerol, dripping with raspberry, plum and cassis fruit aromas and flavors, infused with rooibos tea, sandalwood, mineral and bergamot notes. The finish is very long and finely beaded. Best from 2022 through 2040. 1,290 cases made. — JM"

DECANTER: DECANTER:"Smoked rosemary oak on the nose, this is attractive and appealing with a concentrated but supple fruit expression of sweet raspberry flesh. It has Pomerol typicity, fresh acidities and lift through the finish that holds on. Less tannic than a typical Trotanoy vintage but it has complexity and interest. Well handled."

JEB DUNNUCK: JEB DUNNUCK:"The 2017 Chateau Trotanoy checks in as 100% Merlot and comes from 7.2 hectares of gravelly, clay, and iron-laced soils on the plateau of Pomerol. Revealing a medium ruby/purple hue as well as powerful notes of creme de cassis, scorched earth, chocolate, graphite, and unsmoked tobacco, this beauty is full-bodied, has a stacked mid-palate, building tannins, and a great finish. Very much in the classic, elegant, focused style of the vintage, it has more fruit and texture than most, is flawlessly balanced, and will benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age and drink brilliantly for two decades or more. This showed much better from bottle than barrel and is well worth seeking out and cellaring."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: WINE ENTHUSIAST:"Showing the depth and power of ripe Merlot, this wine has concentration and great richness. Its tannins and bold black fruit flavors point to considerable aging potential. Drink the wine from 2023."

FALSTAFF: FALSTAFF:"Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung, feines rotberiges Konfit, Nuancen von Kirschen, angenehme Edelholzwürze, zarter Nougat. Saftig, straffe, rotbeerig unterlegte Textur, mineralisch, frischer Säurebogen, engmaschig, mit sicherem Zukunftspotenzial ausgestattet."

JANCIS ROBINSON: JANCIS ROBINSON:"In the vineyard, 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Very deep crimson. Scented with the purest of dark-red fruit. This has the same lovely dark finesse as the La Fleur-Pétrus just tasted but is perhaps very slightly less elegant at the moment, if even more persistent. Bone-dry, extremely fine tannin texture. All to come on this dark beauty. (JH)"