2020 Château Troplong-Mondot
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Tasting notes
There’s a sweetness to the nose here with oak cloaking the ripe plump fruit beneath. On the palate, it is glorious, with real finesse and length, a fine interplay between power and restraint. The acidity is perfectly balancing, with an appealing chalkiness to the tannins that frame the concentrated dark berry and dark plum fruit. This isn’t all fruit, though, with a savouriness – an earthy, iron edge that makes the mouth water on the long finish.
Critic scores
James Suckling
James Lawther MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Deep crimson. Dark-fruited and a touch oaky on the nose. Oaky on the palate too, chewy, chocolatey, with just enough fruit at the core to balance. Freshness is marked on the finish but not fully meshed. (JH)
A soft and round red with plum and milk chocolate. Hazelnuts. Full-bodied and layered. Juicy. Hints of sea salt. Power is there. Turns firm and vivid. So attractive now. Savory.
The 2020 Troplong Mondot may prove to be even better than the brilliant 2019, and it is one of the Right Bank's finest wines in this vintage. Unwinding in the glass with deep aromas of mulberries, blackberries and red cherries mingled with hints of rose petal, licorice and exotic spices, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a satiny attack that segues into a vibrant, polished mid-palate, concluding with a long, resonant finish. Having seen only 65% new oak and with malolactic fermentation completed in tank rather than in barrel, it's remarkably pure and seamless. With the 2020 vintage, this estate's stylistic redemption appears to be complete.
About the producer
This estate – promoted in 2006 to Premier Grand Cru Classé B – is perched at the highest point in Saint-Emilion. Aymeric de Gironde has been managing the property since 2017 and guided it to new heights.