1970 Trotanoy
Buying options
Tasting Notes
The 1970 Trotanoy can be prone to TCA issues, and I suffered a run of tainted bottles until this pristine example served in Bordeaux. One immediately discerns a deep garnet core, while the first sniff is like hearing the thundering of horses in the distance, presaging a spellbinding bouquet of iodine, macerated dark cherries, a hint of eucalyptus and with time, Japanese green tea (the traditional, “stand your spoon it type”). The palate is full-bodied with a velvety smooth texture, powerful and, I think, with more substance than the impressive 1971. The 1970 Trotanoy has broader shoulders, perhaps not quite the same level of elegance but an enormous length on the opulent, almost marmalade-like finish. There is a faint tang of black olives lingering on the aftertaste. This is a stunning Trotanoy…with still some way to go. Tasted June 2011. Jun 2017, www.robertparker.com
Critic Scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
This wine has developed magnificently over the last 4-5 years. More backward, and possibly even more concentrated than the 1970 Petrus (as well as more tannic), this huge, old style, massive, thick, rich wine is crammed with concentrated, chocolaty, berry fruit, with a hint of leather, smoked meat, and licorice. The wine's opaque garnet color reveals no sign of amber. The nose is just beginning to open. The flavors are so concentrated that I am going to go out on a limb and say this may be the most concentrated Trotanoy made in the post-World War II era. I suspect this wine can still be purchased for a relatively good price. Owners should plan on drinking it between 2000-2030. One of the four greatest wines of the vintage, the 1970 Trotanoy is the finest wine made at this estate save for the extraordinary 1961. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate June 1996
About the producer
Château Trotanoy was one of the first recognised Premier Cru sites on the Pomerol plateau, with records dating back to the late 1700s. Even back in the nineteenth century it was seen as the best site in Pomerol second only to Vieux Château Certan.