The amazing performances of both vintages of Troplong-Mondot came as no surprise, although I had never scored either vintage this high. Both are broodingly backward, opaque purple-colored wines with masses of fruit, extraction, and power. Both reveal chocolatey, blackcurrant, weedy tobacco-scented noses, and classic, full-bodied, powerful flavors. Both of these wines possess massive finishes that coat the mouth with extract, glycerin, and tannin. In addition, both wines are so opaque that it is impossible to see through them. The 1989 is more tannic, and potentially longer-lived. I suspect the 1990 will mature more quickly because of its lower acidity. It is also more flattering to taste than the less developed, dense 1989. These are two spectacular efforts from one of St.-Emilion's most noteworthy overachievers. Both wines should be given another 8-10 years of cellaring; both will age for three decades. Owners of these wines should feel smug about their purchases.

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A blockbuster. Amazing. I love Port, and this is close. Dark color. Very, very ripe on the nose. Full-bodied and very chewy, with loads of fruit and concentration in tannins. Mouthpuckering. Needs time.--1990 Bordeaux retrospective. 10,000 cases made.

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An absolutely awesome Troplong-Mondot that flirts with perfection, this dense purple-colored wine has a thrilling bouquet of creme de cassis, espresso roast, licorice, white flowers, vanilla, and blackberries. Full-bodied, gorgeously concentrated, yet light on its feet, this extravagantly rich, luxuriously fruited wine is just beginning to reach its plateau of maturity. A profound tour de force in winemaking!

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