Château Trotanoy - Pomerol 1989

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byNeal Martinthe6/30/2017

Tasted at the Trotanoy vertical in Hong Kong, the 1989 Trotanoy has long been a variable wine. Now at 27 years of age, the bouquet is clearly fully mature with attractive, if not powerful scents of warm gravel, truffle and clove. You would describe it as a "mellow" nose, although it does not possess the fruit intensity of the 1990. The palate is, again, fully mature with grainy tannin. It is not a deep Trotanoy, although it is nicely balanced with a pinch of black pepper towards the masculine finish. It is a pleasurable Pomerol, however, given the benevolent growing season and the heights of Petrus or Lafleur, it falls well short of what could have been achieved. Tasted November 2016.

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe12/1/2013

The Trotanoy 1989 seems to be over-shadowed by the 1990, but this is easily the finest bottle that I have encountered. It is blessed with an ethereal bouquet of black truffle and white fennel that blossoms with minimal encouragement, a melted set of aromatics that dovetail into one another. The palate is powerful in the scheme of things, though it does not have the ambition or bravura of the 1990. Yet how can you resist those copious kirsch, allspice and orange peel notes on the finish that has exquisite focus. Find a good bottle of this Trotanoy and you will have yourself a sublime Pomerol that is a point. Tasted December 2013. 0514, Wine Journal

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe1/1/2003

A very delicate, elegant wine that has reached full maturity, again the notes of baked herbs, even tapenade are intermixed with sweet and sour cherries. Medium-bodied, soft, and easy to drink, this rather lightweight Trotanoy need to be consumed over the next decade. Last tasted, 2/02.

Wine Spectator

92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe5/31/1999

All in elegance and finesse. Medium-ruby color at the center; a brick-red edge. Aromas of berries, raisins and sliced mushrooms. Full-bodied and chewy, with lots of round tannins and a tobacco, berry aftertaste.--1989 Bordeaux horizontal. Best after 2001.

Wine Advocate

88 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/1997

Trotanoy's 1989 is an elegant, mature wine revealing a deep ruby color with some amber at the edge. Sweet, ripe fruit in the nose reveals hints of herbes de Provence, black olives, and cedar. Round, elegant, and medium-bodied, this fruity, soft, easy to drink and understand wine should be consumed over the next 10-12 years.

Wine Advocate

88 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/1993

The 1989 displays a ruby/purple color and a promising aroma of ripe cassis fruit gently kissed by oak. This broad-shouldered Trotanoy may reassure some of the disappointed fans of this property that the indifferent results in 1983, 1984, and 1986 were a fluke. I suspect the 1989 Trotanoy will drink well in spite of the high tannin level. I could not help but notice the weedy, herbaceous component to the wine's fruit since bottling. Anticipated maturity: 1994-2010.

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1992

Does the 1989 suggest the beginning of the resurrection of Trotanoy? While it may be the finest Trotanoy since the heroic 1982, it still lacks the profound richness this wine exhibited in top vintages during much of the post-World War II era. Opaque ruby/purple, with a promising aroma of ripe cassis fruit gently kissed by oak, this broad-shouldered Trotanoy should go a long way toward reassuring fans of this property's wines following the indifferent results in 1983, 1984, and 1986. More alcoholic and tannic than the 1982, but less concentrated and lower in acidity, I suspect the 1989 Trotanoy will drink extremely well young in spite of the high tannin level. I could not help but notice the weedy, herbaceous component to the wine's fruit since bottling. Anticipated maturity: 1994-2010. Tasted five times. Consistent notes.