1998 Trotanoy
By Chateau Trotanoy
1998 Trotanoy from Chateau Trotanoy, Pomerol, Bordeaux
The 1998 vintage from Chateau Trotanoy sits among the beacons of excellence in Bordeaux's illustrious Pomerol appellation. Its profound display of character is a testament to an estate whose name lingers on the tongue of connoisseurs and investors alike. This year signaled a sublime alignment of nature's variables, crafting a specimen that resonates with the depth and nobility of its terroir.
Reflections on a Pinnacle Vintage
The 1998 Trotanoy captures the essence of a truly exceptional year for Bordeaux. A vintage that provided superb conditions for Merlot, which thrives in Pomerol's hallowed grounds, has given us a wine of both power and finesse. The strength in this particular year stems not only from the meticulous care in viniculture but also from the vagaries of climatic influence which imbued the vines with robust yet beautifully ripened grapes.
An Intriguing Fusion of Complexity and Elegance
Dancing elegantly between richness and structure, the 1998 Trotanoy offers an opulent bouquet of black truffles, fresh earth, and overtones of dark plums. Time has been a gracious companion to this revered bottle; its tannins have softened to create a silken frame enshrining a core of complex fruit compote nuances. The freshness, still perceptible amidst its mature complexities, hints at diligent harvest timing - when each grape told tale of its perfect ripeness.
Savouring this vintage is more than an olfactory journey; it's an enveloping experience where every sip conveys the tale of its distinguished origin. The wine presents a firm yet velvety mouthfeel with undercurrents of smoke and spice that resonate long into its finish - a hallmark trait of Chateau Trotanoy's dedication to expressing the soulful poetry of Pomerol.
In summary, the 1998 Trotanoy is more than just wine; it’s an investment piece compelling not only on account of its exceptional provenance but by virtue of the unique story each glass narrates from harvest to decanter. An aged marvel like this serves as a strategic asset for fine wine collectors and insightful additions to diversified investment portfolios.
Current market price
$9,650.00
12x75cl
Highest score
99
POP score
304.21
Scores and tasting notes
The 1998 Trotanoy displays a deep garnet-purple color. Wow. Tons of gregarious fruit springs from the glass—crème de cassis, blackberry pie, blueberry compote and mincemeat with suggestions of cigar box, chargrilled meat, incense, earth and dried cherries plus a touch of dried flowers. Medium to full-bodied, it coats the palate with bags of rich, plush textured fruit, offering layer upon layer of exotic spice and savory flavors, finishing epically long and layered. This is mind-blowingly delicious!
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 31 May 2018
The finest Trotanoy since the 1961, this structured, formidably-endowed, deep ruby/purple-colored, full-bodied, super-rich wine exhibits notes of toffee, truffles, and abundant blackberry, cherry, and currant fruit. It cuts a large swath across the palate, and possesses copious but sweet tannin as well as a chewy, muscular mid-palate and finish. This is a compelling effort from one of the great vineyards of Pomerol. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2035. Last tasted, 11/02.
Robert Parker Jr - Bordeaux Book, 4th Edition Jan 2003
Tasted at the Trotanoy dinner at Sketch in London. This bottle of 1998 has a rather odd, lactic nose at first - dark chocolate and espresso, again developing a northern Rhone-like character that I find distracting. The palate is medium-bodied, ripe and velvety with luscious dark plummy fruit. The oak is very dominant and I worry that it will not fully integrate with the fruit at all. I have been very positive about previous bottles in the past, but stylistically I am going to err on the side of caution. Tasted September 2012.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Sep 2013