Cellar Favorite:
1966 Trotanoy

BY NEAL MARTIN | OCTOBER 13, 2025

Super-typhoon
Ragasa is barrelling in across the ocean towards Hong Kong, and I cannot deny
feeling anticipation. Sandbags are laid across the glass doors of luxury
boutiques, commuters clock out of work early and head home, and roads normally
clogged with traffic are eerily empty. The air hangs heavy with humidity as squalls
become more frequent. Fortunately, I hunker down in a salubrious hotel
overlooking Kowloon Bay. As it turns out, Ragasa is not a direct hit. Though
you would not want to be walking outside at its peak, the storm is not as
dramatic as forecasted. Thankfully, there is just minor structural damage. The
only casualty, as far as I am concerned, is the cancelled Figeac dinner. &nbsp;The following evening, I am a bit bored. My
friend Mr. Koala lives a short distance away, and we both agree that a
super-typhoon should not prevent dinner. We arrange to meet on the mezzanine
floor, a bistro that rustles up traditional English grub. My bangers ‘n mash is
not worthy of a Vinous Table, but the bottle that Mr. Koala brings is certainly
worthy of a Cellar Favorite. As we polish it off, we have a good old chinwag
and remember a friend who left us far too early this year. 

<img alt="" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.vinous.com/uploads%2F1760111778838-trotanoy+1966_Vinous.JPG">The
1966 Trotanoy comes from a golden era for the Pomerol estate. The wines are now
rarely seen. The last bottle I encountered, as mentioned in my most recent
tasting note, was drunk with the man who oversaw its creation, Jean-Claude
Berrouet, though that must now be a decade ago. This bottle clearly has sound
provenance and, despite a crumbly cork, is utterly sublime. This is less
“aloof” than past bottles, unfolding politely with classic aromas of black
fruit, old leather and black truffle. It is not powerful like the 1961 or 1970,
understated by comparison, yet you have to admire its delineation and
classicism, almost statesmanlike. The palate is cut from a similar cloth.
Refined, unpretentious, charming and effortless, it expresses the conservatism
of the 1966 vintage, but after almost 60 years, there is still plenty of vigour
in the tank. Having been decanted at the beginning of dinner, it gains
complexity and fans out gently towards the finish. The 1966 Trotanoy epitomises
everything great about mature Pomerol. Wonderful. 94/Drink 2025-2035. © 2025, Vinous. No portion of this article may be copied, shared or redistributed without prior consent from Vinous. Doing so is not only a violation of our copyright but also threatens the survival of independent wine criticism.&nbsp;

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