2008 Trottevieille
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Tasting notes
The still vibrant ruby/purple-colored 2008 Château Trotte Vieille comes from old vine Cabernet Franc, with the balance Merlot and a tiny amount of Cabernet Sauvignon, all of which was raised in new French oak. Still youthful, with terrific notes of black cherries, currants, and spring flowers, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, ripe, still present tannins, terrific balance, and a lengthy finish. It’s surprisingly young and unevolved and has another 10-15 years ahead of it.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 2008 Trottevieille is a vintage that I have not tasted for a few years and it was not included in my recent 10 Year On retrospective. Clear ruby/purple in colour, it has a beautiful bouquet with black and blueberry fruit, iodine and violet. This is very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet candied entry, quite modern in style with a sense of lushness that is not common in the 2008 Right Banks. This is a classy number, one that builds on previous showings. Served at Château Batailley by Philippe Castèja.
Tasted blind. Blackish garnet. Sweet, lactic nose. Then some freshness on the palate and pretty dry on the end. The nose and palate are out of kilter and there’s not much drive here. A bit of sourness on the end but at least it’s not pastiche style. (JR)
Generous, almost jammy style of fruit on the nose. Then a leafy element on the palate, which gives a herbal contrast to the ripe fruit. Very fine-grained tannins, medium body, moderate length. Solid if not wowing. (RH)
About the producer
Owned by the Castéja family (of Ch. Batailley), this estate is home to some of the region’s oldest Cabernet Franc vines – with some pre-phylloxera plantings that are over 150 years old.