Chateau Trotanoy, Pomerol 2009

A deep nose of blueberries, with chocolate mousse that turns to licorice and hints of rose petal. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins that fill your mouth. But they are always soft and caressing. They last for minutes. I love the texture to this wine; it is like plush velvet. Best in 2018, but so inviting now.

The 2009 Trotanoy has a broody and what feels like Cabernet-driven bouquet, well defined with touches of cigar box and forest floor. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin, taut red berry fruit laced with sage, white pepper, hints of fennel and a refreshingly saline finish. This is very promising although, it does not quite possess the persistence of its peers. Sultry, almost saturnine...I guess this is Trotanoy? Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting.

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.

Tension and poise, exactly as you hope to find in a 15 year old Trotanoy. Incense, smoke, exotic and perfumed, undergrowth, old books, tar, peonies, the beginning of tertiary character. Unusually for a Trotanoy of this age, I would say this is a good time to drink, and in its drinking window. 50% new oak for ageing.

Bright ruby-red. Very ripe aromas of black raspberry, mocha and iron, plus a whiff of beefsteak tomato. Then superripe, plush and seriously rich on the palate; began with a faint bitterness but grew fresher and more shapely with aeration. Really fills the mouth with dark cherry, underbrush and mineral flavors. Finishes with substantial talc-like tannins and terrific rising length. Ultimately very classy, but I'd cellar this for eight or ten years.