2019 Chateau Trotte Vieille Premier Grand Cru Classe B, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

The 2019 TrotteVieille is rich and explosive in the glass. A whole range of intense floral notes appears first, followed by inky dark fruit, espresso, licorice, new leather and cedar overtones that open up over time. A wine of power and stature, the 2019 is drop-dead gorgeous. There is so much complexity to the 2019 that it is hard to move on in this tasting. In a word: dazzling.

The 2019 Trotte Vieille has a ripe black cherry, raspberry preserve and iodine-scented bouquet that becomes floral with continued aeration. This is an exuberant nose that displays impressive purity. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit laced with black pepper and a pinch of sea salt, very cohesive and demonstrating fine grip on the finish. This is a classy offering from a much improved Saint-Émilion, especially in terms of the detail on the finish. Excellent. Tasted from bottle and half-bottle.

Aromas of cherries, sweet berries and plums, framed by notions of raw cocoa, loamy soil, spices and licorice, introduce the 2019 Trotte Vieille, a medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy wine that's broad, textural and enveloping, built around succulent acids and ripe, powdery tannins that gently assert themselves on the finish.

49% Cabernet Franc, 48% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep glowing garnet. A little development at the rim. Sweet, mild nose with a bit of evolution already. Hints of cocoa. Not one of the freshest St-Émilions but wines from this property do tend to develop well. Yeast-extract hint on the end. (JR)