2020 Trottevieille

Tasted blind. Deep crimson. Pure dark fruit but slightly spirity on the nose. Tight, notable acidity, the tannins thick but smooth. A little bit hard as the tannins and acid bump into each other but should come round. (JH)

The 2020 Trotte Vieille has an arresting bouquet that initially puts me off. However, upon closer inspection, it coheres and gains freshness, perhaps due to a healthy dollop of Cabernet Franc in the blend. It works. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannins, quite rich yet fresh thanks to the acidity. It lacks some nuance and amplitude on the finish, but otherwise, this should be fascinating to watch age. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

The 2020 Trotte Vieille opens in the glass with aromas of sweet dark berries, violets and licorice framed by a generous application of creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated, with impressive depth at the core, it's nicely balanced but a little wrapped up in firm, seemingly barrel-derived tannins. Improvements are underway in the vineyards, but for now, the élevage would appear to be this estate's weak link.