Château Trotanoy Pomerol 1972

I never expect much from 1972s, and I’ve tasted a few as this is my birth year, but honestly I would say this is the best example of the vintage that I’ve ever had. A study in quiet pleasures, you might have to go looking for the charred leather, tobacco leaf, loganberry and wild strawberry character, but it’s there, waiting to unfurl and swirl up out of the glass. This is delicate and finessed, full of softly spoken charm. Served blind, from Jean-Claude Berrouet’s cellar. Around the table we guessed it was from the 1970s, but went for 1970 or 1975, both much better vintages.