Château Trotanoy Collection

 

A Storied Masterpiece of the Right Bank

Situated on the famed plateau of Pomerol, Château Trotanoy is widely considered one of the greatest and most prestigious estates in the Right Bank of Bordeaux. Founded in the 18th century by the Gires family, the estate's historical name—Trop Annoie ("too annoying" or "too wearisome")—was coined by local farmers referring to the dense, stubborn clay soils that were notoriously difficult to plow when dry.

Acquired in 1953 by Jean-Pierre Moueix (the legendary figure behind Château Pétrus), Trotanoy has long been managed under the meticulous care of Établissements Jean-Pierre Moueix and Christian Moueix. Due to its elevated position and exceptional soil composition, a significant portion of Trotanoy's vineyards survived the catastrophic frost of 1956, preserving old vines that contribute to the wine’s incredible structural depth. Today, Trotanoy stands as a benchmark of Pomerol, producing wines that consistently challenge the very finest estates in Bordeaux.

Iron-Rich Clay, Gravel Slopes & Uncompromising Craft

Spanning just 7.2 hectares, the single continuous vineyard of Trotanoy features a complex topography with varying soil profiles that impart remarkable multifaceted character:

• Merlot (~90%): Grown on deep, dense dark clay mixed with iron-rich subsoils (crasse de fer). Merlot forms the backbone of Trotanoy, lending opulent black fruit, decadently plush texture, truffle nuance, and massive mid-palate density.

• Bouchet / Cabernet Franc (~10%): Planted in gravelly-clay parcels, adding vibrant acidity, aromatic lift, fine-grained tannins, and lingering forest floor notes.

The vineyard is managed with rigorous parcel-by-parcel precision, hand-harvested at peak maturity, and sorted through optical technology. Vinification takes place in traditional temperature-controlled concrete and stainless steel vats. The Grand Vin matures gracefully in French oak barrels (typically 40% to 50% new) for 16 to 18 months, striking an effortless balance between wood integration and pure varietal expression.

The World-Class Wine Portfolio

• Château Trotanoy (Grand Vin): The ultimate expression of power, richness, and ethereal refinement. Highly aromatic, it unfolds with layers of crushed black plums, dark cocoa, freshly roasted coffee, black truffles, dried violets, and earthy iron minerals. Broad-shouldered yet remarkably polished on the palate, its dense, velvety tannins provide exceptional cellaring potential of 20 to 50+ years.

• Espérance de Trotanoy (Second Wine): First introduced with the 2009 vintage, Espérance de Trotanoy is crafted from select vineyard plots. Produced in small quantities, it shares the characteristic richness, dark fruit core, and silky refinement of the Grand Vin while offering earlier accessibility over a 10 to 20-year window.

Epicurean Food Pairings

• Château Trotanoy Grand Vin: Braised beef short ribs with black truffle reduction, roasted rack of lamb, pan-seared duck breast, roasted venison loin, wild boar stew, or dishes featuring porcini and chanterelle mushrooms.

• Espérance de Trotanoy: Grilled prime ribeye steak, roasted squab, braised veal cheeks, duck confit, or aged artisan cheeses such as Époisses, Comté, and mature Gouda.