Château Trotanoy 2019

Château Trotanoy sits on the Pomerol plateau under the Jean-Pierre Moueix house, which has held vineyards here since the 1950s and counts these plots among the finest in the appellation. The 7.2 hectares face west on soils of gravel over deeper clay, a combination that gives Pomerol Merlot its particular character: the gravel ripens and drains while the dense clay subsoil holds water and lends the wine its richness, depth and firm structure. The blend is around 90 percent Merlot with Cabernet Franc for lift and aromatic detail. The wine is fermented and aged in oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange polishes the tannins and adds spice and a fine savoury frame. This is a serious, age-worthy Pomerol. It is deep and dark in the glass, with intense aromas of ripe black cherry and plum over damp earth, tobacco and dark chocolate. The palate is full and structured, the clay showing as density and grip, with leather and cocoa carried to a long finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, decanted an hour or two ahead, in a large glass. It calls for roast beef, lamb and game.