CHÂTEAU TROPLONG MONDOT

The 2020 Troplong Mondot has a limpid dark hue. The bouquet is intense with black cherries, red plum, Earl Grey and very subtle floral scents, a mixture of peony and violet. The palate is medium-bodied with very pliant tannins, fine acidity, taut and fresh. With moderate depth, this Troplong possesses impressive salinity, a little powdery texture towards the finish, with a gentle but insistent grip. Black fruit dominates here, chalky and terroir-driven, so you can feel the terroir tingling on the aftertaste. Quite a "serious" Saint-Émilion, it will require half a dozen or so years to show what it is capable of. NB A decanted bottle had more "pixelation" on the finish. Drinking range: 2027 - 2050 Rating: 95 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Feb 2023)

The 2020 Troplong Mondot is another strong showing from the estate under the direction of Aymeric de Gironde. Exotic and voluptuous, the 2020 is endowed with terrific depth and plenty of layers that unfold over time. Raspberry jam, cloves, kirsch and lavender all flesh out beautifully in the glass. Troplong Mondot has been exceptionally fine since 2017, when the new team headed by de Gironde took over and began to focus on giving the Grand Vin more energy. In the 2020, though, I see less of the vibrancy and brilliance that has defined the new style at Troplong. Tasted two times. Drinking range: 2035 - 2050 Rating: 93-95 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Jun 2021)

The 2020 Troplong Mondot was tasted from two samples, both directly from the estate, but with two prelèvements because Aymeric de Gironde was not content with the showing of the first. Indeed, the second, which was tasted the following day (yes, bottles arrived quickly) did show slightly better, even if there was not an enormous difference. It has a deep garnet hue, yet the nose is initially backward and demands about an hour to really open and say what it wants to say. The nuanced bouquet features a mixture of red and black fruit, touches of iris flower, sea spray and a touch of Earl Grey. This is typical of the more elegant, terroir-driven style introduced under Aymeric de Gironde. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy red fruit, cranberry and raspberry mixed with truffle and a pinch of sea salt. The acidity is well judged and it conveys palpable energy on the finish. This is a delicious and characterful Saint-Émilion, fresh and vibrant, that will fill out and gain depth during its barrel maturation. Excellent. Drinking range: 2027 - 2050 Rating: 94-96 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2021)

I’d wager the finest vintage here since the 2015, then the 2009, the 2020 Château Troplong Mondot is a blend of 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the balance Cabernet Franc. It offers a dense purple hue as well as powerful, unevolved aromas and flavors of pure crème de cassis, black cherries, graphite, gravelly earth, and tobacco. Coming from the highest elevation vineyard in the appellation and deeper, clay soils (which excelled in 2020), it’s medium to full-bodied and has a dense, thick mid-palate, building tannins, and a great finish. It’s not for the instant gratification crowd out there, but it’s going to be incredibly long-lived. Hats off to the team at Troplong Mondot as well as oenologist Thomas Duclos. Rating: 96-98 Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com (May 2021)

This sets out its stall as a wine from a specific plot of pure limestone soils straight away, and this is a second wine to savour. As with last year, this is a masterclass in the impact of this particular soil type, with a bright violet colour, juicy blueberry fruits and touches of redcurrant. It has a tingling finish with a whoosh of salinity that gives tension and balance. 30% aged in barrels, the rest stays in stainless steel. 3.53pH. Still 100% Merlot as last year, but that will probably change in 2021 when some Cabernet Franc should be added. Not sold as an En Primeur, the 2018 has just been released onto the market. September 4 was the first day of picking. Drinking range: 2024 - 2036 Rating: 93 Jane Anson, Decanter (May 2021)

This has superb depth and intensity with very fine tannins that draw you down. So much black fruit, together with black pepper and salt. Extremely well crafted. Vertical and deep. Chalky and salty with black chocolate. Rating: 98-99 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2021)

85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc
60% new oak for between 14-16 months
14.5% alc
3.53 pH
Harvest took place between 3rd – 30th September in two distinct tranches totalling 12 days.
This mercurial vintage seems like a particularly good fit for Troplong Mondot. Aymeric de Gironde’s parcel by parcel, plot by plot, step by step philosophy is paying great dividends and with a new, spectacular winery up and running and a panoramic tasting room all but completed, their timing could not be better – I only hope that they will be able to welcome visitors before too long. With their stylish, layering of fruit, seen through a tri-varietal lens, differing soil types, altitude and orientation, this is a truly kaleidoscopic wine. The nose is brooding, fleshly and wild, with carefree hints of hedgerow berries and flowers as well as deeply exotic tones of spice and musk. They started picking here on the 4th September, then stopped for a while before the Cabernets and one plot of Merlot came in on the 30th of the month – just in the nick of time before the rain came in. This spread of harvesting seems to have locked in stunning freshness (and an impressively low pH) which is countered by the expansive and profound flavours found on the palate. The tannins are beautifully integrated and there is superb concentration here, too, pushing this wine into delicious, carnal places. It will, no doubt, start to drink earlier than usual because the fruit is so all-encompassing and bombastic, but this wine is founded on unshakable acid and tannin, which is in perfect harmony with the fruit, and so this balance will enable it to age extremely confidently, too. I wouldn’t hesitate to move this wine’s classification to ‘A-status’ immediately such is the unquestionable grandeur on display in this vintage. 19+/20 Rating: 19+/20 Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (Apr 2021)