Château Trotte Vieille

History of Château Trotte Vieille

The origins of Château Trotte Vieille date back to the 15th century, attested by a farming lease written in the Gascon language. The legend behind the château's name is equally fascinating: a curious old lady, living on the estate at the time, would regularly trot over to a nearby coaching inn to keep herself informed of the latest news. It is in this way that the name "Trotte Vieille" has endured through the centuries.

In the 18th century, the estate belonged to Jean Laveau, owner of Château Villemaurine. In 1841, the lawyer Isambert, also owner of Château l'Évangile in Pomerol, acquired the estate. The year 1867 marked an important milestone in the history of Château Trotte Vieille, with the award of a gold medal at the Universal Exhibition.

However, in 1868, the estate was divided among several owners, before being reunified in 1898 under the direction of Edouard Jean. After several successions, it was Joséphine Gibaud who managed the domaine de 1929 to 1942. The major transformation came in 1947, when Marcel Borie, founder of the négociant house Borie-Manoux, purchased the estate.

Under the direction of the Borie family and, later, the Castéja family, the estate consolidated its status as Premier Grand Cru. In the 2000s, under the management of Philippe Castéja, the estate launched "Vieille Dame de Trotte Vieille", the château's second wine, while continuing to refine its viticultural techniques and its commitment to sustainable viticulture.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Trotte Vieille

The vineyard of Château Trotte Vieille extends over 12 hectares in the north-east of Saint-Émilion, on a hillside with a south-westerly aspect, characterised by clay soils over a limestone bedrock. This exceptional terroir, shared only with prestigious estates such as Château Ausone, plays a central role in the quality of the estate's wines.

The grape varieties consist predominantly of Merlot (49%), complemented by Cabernet Franc (46%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (5%). These vines, with an average age of around 60 years, include an exceptional plot of Cabernet Franc planted in 1868, before the phylloxera crisis, making it one of the oldest vine plots in Bordeaux.

Since 2021, the estate has been certified Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE), applying sustainable farming practices. The vineyard is cultivated in a way that preserves its natural ecosystem, with vines aligned along the hillsides to promote optimal drainage and limit the use of chemical products. Every stage of vineyard work, from pruning to harvest, is carried out with care to guarantee the best possible grape quality.

Winemaking at Château Trotte Vieille

The winemaking process at Château Trotte Vieille reflects a meticulous approach, combining modern practices with tradition and precision. Each plot of the vineyard is vinified separately in order to preserve the unique identity of each micro-terroir. 

The grapes, harvested by hand in small crates to avoid any deterioration, are meticulously sorted before vatting. Cold pre-fermentation maceration allows fruity aromas to be extracted. Fermentations take place at low temperatures for better control of flavours, followed by a post-fermentation maceration that depends on tasting assessments.

Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels and vats, ensuring a silky texture in the wines. After vinification, the wines are aged for between 18 and 24 months in new French oak barrels. The ageing of the wines is regularly monitored with rackings every 3 to 4 months and blends carefully carried out based on tasting assessments.

The Cuvées of Château Trotte Vieille

Château Trotte Vieille - Fine Wine

The fine wine of Château Trotte Vieille is a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé Premier Grand Cru since 1955. This wine is distinguished by its finesse and exceptional longevity. It presents a deep red robe and a powerful nose combining aromas of red and black fruits.

On the palate, it reveals a beautiful structure, silky tannins and spicy, peppery notes. Its finish is fruity and flavourful, a true testament to the expertise and unique terroir of Trotte Vieille.

Dame de Trotte Vieille - Second Wine

La Dame de Trotte Vieille is the château's second wine, crafted from the youngest vines. This wine, also classified as Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, captivates with its elegance and harmony. Dressed in a garnet robe, it reveals a fruity, floral nose with aromas of wood and coffee. On the palate, it is generous and fresh, with rounded tannins and notes of red fruits. This wine also offers a beautiful lingering finish, making it an excellent choice for more immediate drinking, while still maintaining a good ageing potential.

Vieilles Vignes de Château Trotte Vieille - Special Cuvée

The estate also produces a special cuvée from century-old vines planted before the phylloxera crisis. This cuvée, not available for commercial sale, is one of the rarest in Bordeaux, with only 135 hand-engraved bottles produced each year. This exceptional wine is crafted exclusively from Cabernet Franc, sourced from the estate's oldest vines.

Saint-Émilion, a jewel of the Bordeaux wine region, has produced over the years vintages of exceptional quality, delighting lovers of great wines. Among the legendary vintages, one can cite 1947, 1959, and 1961, true icons that have marked the history of Bordeaux wines. The famous 1982 remains an undisputed reference. The following decades were no less remarkable, with outstanding vintages such as 1990, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2005, all acclaimed for their richness and ageing potential. More recently, the vintages 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020 have shone for their balance and depth, reaffirming Saint-Émilion's reputation as one of Bordeaux's most sought-after appellations, where each new year continues to captivate lovers of great wines with its consistent quality and elegance.

The classification of Premiers Grands Crus Classés B of Saint-Émilion, revised every 10 years, highlights exceptional châteaux from the right bank vineyard. Among those that continue to feature in this prestigious category, one finds iconic names such as Château Beau-Séjour Bécot, Château Beauséjour Héritiers Duffau Lagarrosse, Château Bélair-Monange, Château Canon, Château Pavie-Macquin, Château Troplong-Mondot, Château Trottevieille, and Clos Fourtet. Others, promoted in 2012, such as Château Canon-La-Gaffelière, Château Larcis-Ducasse, Château La Mondotte, and Château Valandraud, also illustrate the ever-rising quality of the region's wines. Conversely, certain châteaux are no longer classified, such as La Gaffelière (since 2022) and Magdelaine (since 2006). This constant renewal guarantees the excellence and evolution of the Saint-Émilion vineyard, where tradition and innovation blend harmoniously.

Château Trotte Vieille, with its centuries of history and exceptional vines, perfectly embodies the viticultural excellence of Saint-Émilion. Classified as Premier Grand Cru since 1955, it continues to produce wines renowned for their elegance, complexity and ageing potential. The estate's commitment to sustainable farming and the attention paid to every stage of production ensure wines of the very highest quality, from the fine wine to the second wine, La Dame de Trotte Vieille.