Chateau Trotte Vieille St. Emilion 2018 - 750ml

98pts James Suckling

Wild berries, cassis, violets, dark chocolate, praline and bark. It’s full-bodied with firm, seamlessly integrated tannins. Wonderfully flavorful with lingering chocolate notes on a long finish. Keeps going. Try from 2025.

96pts Decanter

Extremely concentrated cassis and bilberry fruits, almost Left Bank on the approach (there is a majority of Cabernet in the blend), until the juice and slate from the limestone comes pouring in through the mid palate. I love this, absolutely delivered on its en primeur promise. A yield of 38hl/ha. 100% new oak. 

96pts Wine Enthusiast

A decade ago, this estate was in a fallow period, but its wines live up to their terroir. Solid tannins give it dryness and hint at the classic blackcurrant fruits to come. At the moment, the wine is just starting out, but its elements promise good aging. Drink from 2027. 

96pts Vinous

The 2018 TrotteVieille is a super-intriguing wine. Aromatically deep and layered, the 2018 offers tremendous depth and textural finesse. Mocha, grilled herbs, black cherry, new leather and spice all wrap around the palate in a dense, racy Saint-Émilion. The blend is 54% Cabernet Franc, 44% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. 

93pts Jeb Dunnuck

Coming from the upper plateau and always including lots of Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Château Trotte Vieille reveals a healthy ruby/purple color as well as elegant, complex notes of red and blue fruits, spring flowers, cedarwood, and violets. Beautifully balanced on the palate, it needs lots of air to show at its best, but it's medium to full-bodied and has a focused, firm texture, ripe tannins, and a beautiful finish. As always, this has an incredible floral character, and the purity of fruit is terrific. It needs 4-6 years in the cellar, but I suspect it will keep for 20 years or more. It's one of the finest wines I've tasted from this estate.

92pts Wine Spectator

Tilts to old school in style, with a mix of savory, warm raspberry coulis, sandalwood, red tea and bitter cherry paste notes mixed together. Finish has good cut and persistence, with a fine-grained cedar note framing it all. Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.