2025, Château Trotte Vieille, SAINT-ÉMILION, 1er Grand Cru Classé

This Saint Emilion property is owned by the Castéja family of Château Batailley. Impressive quality here in recent vintages. some of the Cabernet Franc is over 100 years old. In 2025 they are bottling some wine in the historic Bordeaux Marie-Jeanne format - 2.25l (or three bottles). Individually boxed.

51% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 46% Merlot.

The 2025 Trotte Vieille soars out of the glass. Freshly cut flowers, mocha, dried herbs, menthol and espresso meld into a core of rich, deeply layered dark fruit. Trotte Vieille is a rare Saint-Émilion that features old Cabernet Franc. All of that intensely floral/savoury character (and the matching structure) is in evidence today. The 2025 builds beautifully in the glass, revealing myriad dimensions of intensity. 2035 - 2065
96-98 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.

Extremely fine tannins that fade into the palate, with seductive dark fruit flavours and a citrus aftertaste. It’s all about elegance and structure in this wine.
97-98 James Suckling.

Inky with violet edging, vibrant and concentrated, iris, chamomile, peony, rose bud, this is an excellent wine that has a serious edge to it, tightly knitted down tannins that are plentiful, waves of crushed mint, slow and steady progression through the palate - there is plenty of ageing potential. 2032-2052.
96 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux.