Château Trotanoy is one of Pomerol’s reference estates, owned by Jean‑Pierre Moueix since 1953. The 2013 is the grand vin from a single 7.2‑hectare vineyard of gravel and dense black clay over iron-rich subsoil—so tenacious that the estate notes the name Trotanoy translates roughly as “too tiresome” to cultivate. In 2013, the wine is reported as 100% Merlot, and it delivers more shape and seriousness than many wines from this difficult Bordeaux year.
Several critics rated it outstanding for the vintage. Wine Enthusiast gave an excellent 94 points and tagged it a “Cellar Selection,” praising “a lot of class and elegance, along with firm tannins that show how well it will age,” adding that it is “dark and concentrated” with “black fruits still developing under the solid structure,” and advising patience until 2022 (Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast). Jeff Leve also reached 94 points (92–94), describing a “dark ruby” wine with “spicy chocolate, truffle and sweet, ripe plum,” plus “silky tannins and supple textures,” calling it “a lighter, early-drinking Trotanoy” that still “offers a good quality in its character” (Jeff Leve, TheWineCellarInsider).
At 92 points, Wine Spectator emphasizes that it has “noticeable heft for the vintage,” with “warm charcoal” framing “crushed plum and raspberry pâte de fruit,” finishing with the “fruit and loam elements together,” and notes “1,000 cases made” (J.M., Wine Spectator). Neal Martin likewise scores 92 and calls out “precision on the nose,” citing “crushed stone mixed with redcurrant and blackberry,” a “medium-bodied” palate with “commendable depth,” and a finish marked by “a hint of black truffle and smoke,” concluding it “should be considered as a success for the vintage” with “a couple of decades of drinking pleasure” (Neal Martin, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate). Decanter agrees on its relative delicacy—“far softer than other vintages of Trotanoy”—but highlights “lift,” “tannic grip,” and “freshness,” suggesting a long window (2020–2034) for those who let its “gentle charms” emerge (Decanter).
