Château Trottevieille is a very old estate. Its name comes from a legend having to do with an old lady who lived there centuries ago. A coach stop was located at the intersection of two roads just outside her house. Whenever a carriage stopped there, the old woman (la vieille) "trotted out" to hear the latest news. The present-day château is surrounded by attractive grounds as well as vines. The vineyard overlooks a small south-facing valley, and the vines have remarkable sun exposure. The terroir consists of a thin layer (thirty centimetres) of clay soil on a limestone shelf. Visible in former quarries found on the estate, vine roots have pushed through in search of nourishment. There is also a small plot of pre-phylloxera vines approximately 120 years old. Château Trottevieille is known for its elegance, roundness, and very long aftertaste. These characteristics are partly due to the large percentage of Cabernet Franc. The wine is fruity and wellbalanced even when young, but fills out and develops beautifully after several years in bottle. This explains why Trottevieille is much sought after by connoisseurs around the world.
Wine Advocate-Parker :
The 2013 Trottevieille has a light, slightly earthy, woodland-scented bouquet with fine definition. It might lack a bit of vigor, but there is charm here and a sense of personality. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp and perhaps slightly obtrusive tannin that should be abraded down with time. This Saint Emilion is nicely balanced, nonchalant and carefree with a smudged cherry and redcurrant finish. This is perfectly satisfying for the vintage and should give up to a decade's worth of drinking pleasure.
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