2018 Espérance de Trotanoy

Purchased by Jean-Pierre Moueix in 1953, Château Trotanoy was considered one of
the premier crus of Pomerol as of the eighteenth century.
Since 2009, a selection of gravel-based parcels on the north-eastern part of the
estate have been dedicated to Espérance de Trotanoy, a wine that is fruit-forward
and approachable after just a few years of cellaring, but that maintains the depth,
complexity and concentration of flavor that are characteristic of Trotanoy’s terroir.
The Trotanoy vineyard, located in one of the best-exposed areas of the plateau and
spared, in part, by the dramatic frosts of 1956, slopes gently to the west. The soil is a
very dense mixture of clay and gravel which tends to solidify as it dries out after rain
to an almost concrete-like hardness, hence the name “Trot-anoy,” -- “too wearisome”
to cultivate.

The soil at the highest point of exposure contains a good proportion of gravel,
becoming progressively more dominated by clay as the elevation declines. Under this
clay is a subsoil of red gravel and an impermeable layer of hard, iron-rich soil known
as “crasse de fer.” This fascinating soil diversity brings power, depth and complexity
to the wines.

Espérance de Trotanoy, which is produced in limited quantities and only in certain
years since 2009, is vinified in small concrete vats and aged in French oak barrels.

2018 Vintage

Winter and spring were very rainy. A late budbreak, noted on April 9th , allowed us to
avoid a spring frost. The flowering, from May 23rd to 30th, went well and the potential
quality was significant.

The rainy spring caused a severe attack of mildew, which was thwarted thanks to the
considerable efforts of our vineyard workers. Throughout the summer, a team of
60 crop-thinned, adapting the desired yield to the parcel and the age of the vines.
Véraison took place from July 26th to August 12th.

Near perfect balance was the reward for 16,800 hours of meticulous work.
The main characteristic of this vintage was the 1,136 hours of sunshine between June
and September, a notable record of the past fifty years. Harvest, graced with sunny
skies and warm temperatures, took place from September 14th to October 3rd.
The wine is silky, dominated by black fruit and licorice notes, and will offer immediate
pleasure.