Chateau Troplong Mondot 2022

Delicately fragrant and red-fruited, with plenty of freshness, mineral undertones, blood orange, herbs; on the palate, lots of tension, dense yet light on its feet, full of energy, great arc of tension, delicate fruit, a pronounced tannic frame, spicy finish. The best Troplong-Mondot ever.

The 2022 Troplong Mondot has turned out brilliantly in bottle. Wafting from the glass with aromas of mulberries and blackberries mingled with notions of licorice, rose petals, incense and pencil shavings, it's full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, with huge mid-palate volume, superb integration and an ineffable sense of completeness. This site always delivers power, but I've never tasted a Troplong that's simultaneously quite so powerful or quite so harmonious and suave. Concluding with a broad, violet-inflected finish, the 2022 represents the essence of this remarkable site.

A sappy red, with kirsch and cassis notes tossed in with red licorice and apple wood. A flash of sweet tobacco pierces the juicy, slightly compact finish. Should unwind nicely in the cellar, as there's a bold mix of buried minerality and latent energy. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2027 through 2042. 10,000 cases made, 900 cases imported.

Glorious aromatics burst out of the glass with scents of dried herbs, tobacco, mint and blackcurrant. Sumptuous and filling in the best way, the texture, weight and depth of the flavours here is seriously impressive – round and wide but so finessed that it doesn’t feel too heavy. Restrained power with such confidence. Balanced, harmonious and totally moreish, this is an incredible wine that already feels so approachable. Tannins are flawless and the juicy berry fruit with soft salted liquorice edges give nuance and interest. Still a little shy but such potential here. Wonderful.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, brightening on the rim. Nuances of ripe cherries, hints of liquorice, red fruit in the background, a hint of tangerine, floral touch. Juicy, elegant, silky and mineral, fine fruit expression, pleasant acidity, ripe, supporting tannins, delicious and lasting. Shows incredible length and freshness, certain ageing potential, for decades.

I was able to taste the 2022 Château Troplong Mondot on two separate occasions, and it never failed to impress. A blend of 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Cabernet Franc, it was raised in 55% new oak, with the balance in once-used barrels and foudre. It's an incredibly pure, precise, seamless Saint-Emilion that has vibrant black raspberry and darker cherry fruits as well as hints of graphite, spring flowers, and damp earth. This medium to full-bodied, layered, nicely concentrated 2022 has polished tannins, a lively spine of acidity, and flawless overall balance. It's the finest vintage I've tasted at this château since the 2015.

Smooth, stately, rich, powerful, this is just full of delight: rose petals, orange peel, orange blossom water, cocoa bean, flint, graphite, fennel, chalk, harnessing the complexity of these 360-degree-oriented soils. You get the precision and skilful winemaking coming through in the glass. Clearly needs time to age, full of architectural prowess. A brilliant reminder that terroir in certain spots is undeniable, and makes itself felt even with all the changes implemented by the new owners since 2017. Thomas Duclos. A touch of whole-bunch fermentation, no fining, low filtration. 55% new oak, 25% oak casks, 25% one year old, first year with wax closure for Troplong’s first wine. Remi Monribot cellar master, Aymeric de Gironde director

On the nose, shimmering blue-black fruits, accompanied by delicious floral notes (violet, iris, rose petal). On the palate, a burst of juicy, ripe, and generous flavors, leading to a pure, lightly toasted finish.

The bouquet unfolds in a filigree, subtle way, without failing to underline its depth. The wine isn’t loud; it captures attention with clear, accessible signals that awaken all the senses dedicated to complexity and finesse. Very serene, the wine reveals many nuances with freshness as the common thread. On the palate, the scenario is roughly identical to the olfactory journey. The wine starts by showing itself timidly before letting its incisive structure take charge and drive it forward, together with tannins that are tight yet supportive, powerful and perfectly integrated, further endorsing the freshness and persistence of the finish. A truly great Troplong Mondot, precise, mouthwatering, energetic, flirting with perfection. It has many years ahead to outdo itself and still blossom a bit! A great success. A serene, authoritative and benevolent wine that knows exactly where it’s going and sketches out promising prospects—above all already measurable.

97-99 Barrel sample. The wine has a silky texture, with ripe black tannins, fine acidity and black fruits. The wine is both succulent and seriously structured. It is one of the best from this estate in many years and shows great tension, depth and a long-term promise.