Chateau Trotte Vieille
While Saint-Émilion is home to many famous names, Trotte vieille is rarely the first one that comes to mind. This winery has been classified as Premier Grand Cru within this appellation since 1955; it is located on a hillside just east of the village and is run today by the Castéja family, following Marcel Borie's purchase of the property in 1947. What makes Château Trotte Vieille special is its vines. There are thousands of Cabernet Franc vines planted before the phylloxera epidemic, which are believed to be the oldest in the Right Bank region. This vineyard is small in scale; although it is not certified, the vineyard is cultivated using organic methods, and the winery uses small stainless steel tanks. A Trotte Vieille is an elegant, smooth, and lingering wine.
The history
Marcel Borie purchased Château TrotteVieille in 1947, and the estate records contain a brief description of this purchase: He simply fell in love with the place. Eight years later, in 1955, the property was classified as Premier Grand Cru in AOC Saint-Émilion.
Today, this vineyard is operated by the Castéja family, with Philippe at the helm.
Twelve hectares on a slope east of the village
Château TrotteVieille is situated on a hillside east of the village of Saint-Émilion and has a view looking down toward the village to the west. The vineyard covers 12 hectares, a significant portion of which is an 8-hectare fenced plot (clos), with 7 hectares planted with grapevines.
Between the two sections within this clos stand approximately 3,000 Cabernet Franc vines, planted in the 19th century and now over 140 years old, dating from before the phylloxera epidemic. These vines are generally considered the oldest on the Right Bank, and perhaps in all of Bordeaux.
These vines are not merely objects of curiosity. Forty of them, selected for their disease resistance, serve as the source of this winery's massal selection. Massal selection refers to a method of planting new grapevines propagated from cuttings taken from the best existing vines, rather than from nursery clones.
Although this vineyard is cultivated using organic methods, TrotteVieille has not received organic certification.
Merlot and Cabernet Franc, almost fifty-fifty
The cultivation area for Château TrotteVieille is distributed almost evenly between the two main Right Bank varieties, while Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for a negligible proportion:
- Merlot: 49%
- Cabernet Franc: 46% (including plots planted before the phylloxera outbreak)
- Cabernet Sauvignon: the remaining 5%
In the case of Saint-Émilion, where Merlot typically accounts for a much larger share, Cabernet Franc makes up a relatively high proportion. Furthermore, this is not a decision based on recent trends. The oldest Cabernet Franc vines at TrotteVieille have stood in that location since the 19th century.
Winemaking
The cellar operations are precise and the chateau is equipped with the machinery to support this approach. TrotteVieille's fermentation room is equipped with small stainless steel tanks.
The harvest is short and intensive. Harvesting is doine by hand and usually takes place over several consecutive days.
The wine
"Château Trotte Vieille" is a red wine, the Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé. It is primarily composed of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with grapes from the Cabernet Franc plot where old vines grow. There is also a second wine, the La Dame de Trotte Vieille.
In some vintages (2005, 2019 for example) a Trotte Vieille Tres Vieille Vignes wine is released, made from 150-year-old Cabernet Franc vines. Only around 100-150 bottles are produced.
As the château explains, the style of this wine can be summarized by three elements: elegance, smoothness, and a long finish. It is not a wine that simply emphasizes power.
The characteristics vary by vintage, as is typical throughout the Bordeaux region, and these wines are made for long-term aging rather than early consumption. Serving is straightforward: enjoy at around 17-18°C; for relatively young vintages, decanting is recommended.
The best vintages of Trotte Vieille
The most recent vintages are among the best vintages of Trotte Vieille, including 2015, 2016, 2022, 2023, 2025
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is Château Trotte Vieille?
On a slope east of the village of Saint-Émilion, on Bordeaux's Right Bank, looking back west towards the town.
What is its classification?
Château Trotte Vieille has been classified Premier Grand Cru in AOC Saint-Émilion since 1955.
Who owns it?
The Castéja family runs the estate today, following Marcel Borie's purchase of the property in 1947. Philippe and Frédéric Castéja lead it.
What is Trotte Vieille best known for?
Its pre-phylloxera Cabernet Franc vines, planted in the 19th century and widely described as the oldest on the Right Bank. Cuttings from the healthiest of them are used for new plantings.
Is the estate organic?
The vineyard is farmed organically, but Trotte Vieille has not sought organic certification.
