This is one of the finest young vintages of Château Trotanoy I have ever had the pleasure to taste. The wine is deep, pure and utterly classic on both the nose and palate. The sensational bouquet offers up a stunning array of plums, mulberries, tobacco leaf, coffee, a brilliantly complex base of soil, cigar smoke, violets and a lovely base of nutty new wood. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and rock solid at the core, with a very poised and soil-driven personality, laser-like focus, fine-grained and substantial tannins and stunning length and grip on the youthful and endless finish. This is just a brilliant young Trotanoy! (Drink between 2025-2075)

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux tasting. The 2012 Trotanoy is clearly blossoming in bottle. Over almost 20 years of tasting out of barrel, I cannot recall a Trotanoy that has so surpassed its showing at en primeur. It has a well-defined bouquet that initially seems straightforward. Don't be fooled...it opens in the glass and reveals subtle red berry fruit, truffle and ferrous aromas. There is stunning definition and poise here. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannin. There is a core of wonderful Cabernet Franc here, the acidity extremely well judged with a precise, sustained finish. This is a sophisticated Pomerol with élan and no more, no less than a fabulous Trotanoy. Tasted January 2016. - Neal Martin

This combines serious fruit and grip with a torrent of blackberry, raspberry and boysenberry pâte de fruit notes, liberally laced with smoldering charcoal and tobacco accents. The long, loamy edge drives the finish, along with hints of bay and warm stones, while the fruit pours through. A very serious effort for the vintage. Best from 2018 through 2032. 1,341 cases made. –JM

Dense and complex, this powerful wine has impressive tannins and a solid structure. It does hold plenty of fruit, although at this stage you need to search for it. The character now is dark, dense and remote. It needs many years to bring out the rich black fruits and fresher acidity. Drink from 2024.

The 2012 Trotanoy offers blackberry, liquorice and truffle oil on the nose, moderate intensity, and it gains complexity with aeration. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, gentle grip, plenty of white pepper mixed with clove, though I am seeking just a bit more depth on the finish. Fine, and coming back after 10 minutes, it seems to grow in stature. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting. -- Neal Martin

The 2012 Trotanoy is medium to deep garnet colored. The nose is a little tired, with notes of dried figs, prunes, new leather, and balsamic plus a touch of spice box. The full-bodied palate is lively and chewy with layered, mouth-coating fruit and long mineral laced finish.