Château Trotanoy
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- Château Trotanoy
Purchased by Jean-Pierre Moueix in 1953, Château Trotanoy has been considered one of the premier crus of Pomerol since the end of the eighteenth century. The soil of Château Trotanoy is a very dense mixture of clay and gravel which tends to solidify as it dries out after rain to an almost concrete-like hardness, hence the name “Trotanoy,” or, in other words, “too wearisome” to cultivate.
The Trotanoy vineyard slopes gently to the west. The soil at the highest point of exposure contains a good proportion of gravel, becoming progressively more dominated by clay as the elevation declines. Under this clay is a subsoil of red gravel and an impermeable layer of hard, iron-rich soil known as “crasse de fer.” This fascinating soil diversity brings power, depth and complexity to the wine. Trotanoy is vinified in small concrete vats, while aging takes place in oak barrels.
The vineyard area extends 7.2 hectares with the grape varieties of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. The fascinating soil diversity - half gravel mixed with clay and half deep black clay - with the presence of “machefer” or iron pan in the subsoil, brings power and depth as well as complexity to the wine.
Château Trotanoy’s vineyard was one of the few not to freeze in 1956, and today it is composed of very old vines, the average being close to 35 years. As for other Ets. Jean-Pierre Moueix estates, the work done in the vineyard is fastidious - severe pruning in the winter, regular ploughing, crop-thinning, de-leafing, manicuring the clusters in the summer - and allows a perfect ripening of the fruit. The must is vinified in small concrete vats and the young wine matures in 50% new oak barrels for about 18 months.
When ready, this wine shows enormous complexity and concentration and belongs to the most sought-after Pomerols. It can easily be kept 25 years or more in great vintages.
The annual production averages 25,000 bottles of the Grand vin Château Trotanoy.