1971 Château Trotanoy

The 1971 Trotanoy is a wine that I have drunk a dozen times, and this bottle is exactly what I have come to expect. Deep in color, it has a wonderful marine-influenced and saline bouquet, burly and forthright; mint aromas emerge with time. The firm, structured palate is beautifully balanced, with impressive depth and intensity, though in recent years it has begun to lose some of its flesh. Yet there is a sense of harmony, and the effortless, tobacco-tinged finish is delightful. Drink over the next decade, and do check provenance as there is some bottle variation. Tasted at Mere restaurant in London.

Tasted at the Trotanoy dinner at Sketch in London. I have tasted this vintage several times and it remains one of the best Pomerols in what was a strong year for the appellation. Deep in color, this particular bottle of 1971 Trotanoy has a lovely saline, brine-tinged bouquet that is powerful considering its age. Later it offers up subtle cassis and mint aromas. The palate is very well balanced with superb depth and vigor. It is a little more masculine than previous bottles, and interestingly, there is less flesh than the 1975, which has the upper hand on this occasion. There is a lovely melted finish with tobacco lingering on the aftertaste. I have had better bottles, but this is still a fantastic Pomerol. Tasted September 2012.