Chateau Trotanoy

With a history dating back to the 18th century when the chateau was nicknamed "Trop Ennuie" for its difficult-to-work-with soil, Chateau Trotanoy has quietly transformed into one of Pomerol's top estates as part of the J-P Moueix portfolio. Producing 100% merlot wines, Trotanoy wines are complex, concentrated, and filled with strong aging potential, demanding respect and acclaim from wine enthusiasts across the globe.

The History of Chateau Trotanoy

Chateau Trotanoy was founded in the late 1800s by the Giraud family, one of Bordeaux's original wine legacies. Located on Bordeaux's Right Bank in Pomerol, the estate grew a reputation as one of the region's finest wines. For over 150 years Trotanoy was under the guidance of the Girauds until the post-World War period in the early 1950s, when the family sold the estate to Jean-Pierre Moueix, adding to his famed collection of top wineries. Since the sale, Trotanoy has risen to even greater heights, with top winemakers learning to tame the soil and create some of the world's top merlot. 

Chateau Trotanoy Pomerol Terroir

Near the beginning of its foundation, Chateau Trotanoy was nicknamed "Trop Ennuie," or "too annoying," for its difficult terroir. The vineyard's soil is divided into two parts- the gravel soil near the peak and the half-black clay at the lower elevation points. When wet, the iron soil dries out to a concrete-like state, making it difficult to work with. Furthermore, there are traces of "crasse de fer" across the vineyard. This iron-rich subsoil is polarizing to local winemakers, with some believing the soil works incredibly for the vines while others rue its presence. 

Overall, the vineyard is 7.2 hectares large and slopes to the west of Pomerol. All of the vines are merlot, as the few cabernet franc vines were eventually phased out years ago. As one of the few estates to escape the frost in 1956, Chateau Trotanoy is host to some of the region's oldest vines, with the average age being 35 years. After the grapes are handpicked at the end of the harvest, they are vinified in small concrete vats before aging for 16-18 months in French oak barrels. This aging period allows Trotanoy wines to beautifully evolve in the final bottles, being enjoyed for decades after their production. 

Trotanoy Wines: Exceptional Merlot Vintages

Chateau Trotanoy wines have gained a reputation as one of Pomerol's finest merlot, with critics praising multiple vintages from the estate. One of the estate's most notable releases is the 2016 vintage, rated 100 points by Decanter's Jane Anson with additional 99-point scores from Jeb Dunnuck and Robert Parker's, The Wine Advocate. When speaking about the 2016 Trotanoy, Anson stated, "It's going to go for 50 years, no question."

As one of Pomerol's greatest wines, grabbing a bottle for your cellar is necessary for any Bordeaux lover or wine aficionado looking to begin their French merlot collection.