Chateau Troplong Mondot 2001

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2001 Troplong Mondot is deep garnet-brick in color. It springs from the glass with scents of Morello cherries, dried mulberries, and fragrant soil, followed by suggestions of rose oil, spearmint, and tobacco leaf, plus a waft of cinnamon toast. The medium-bodied palate is very perfumed, with fine-grained tannins and amazing tension, finishing long and minerally."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "This estate continues to merit substantial praise. Let’s hope in the upcoming revised Classification of the Wines of St.-Emilion, Troplong Mondot merits elevation to Premier Grand Cru Classe, which it has deserved for some time. Not far off the pace of the spectacular 2000, the 2001 is performing even better from bottle than it was from cask. A gorgeous perfume of plum jam, creme de cassis, flowers, licorice, black fruits, a hint of graphite, and well-integrated wood notes is followed by a medium to full-bodied St.-Emilion with superb texture, great flavor purity, and tremendous harmony as well as elegance. Remarkably approachable despite its impressive concentration and well-concealed tannin, this is a beauty. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2017."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "The blend is From 85% Merlot, 7.5 Cabernet Sauvignon and 7.5% Cabernet Franc. The wine reached 13.5% ABV and was aged in 100% new oak. Smoke, earth, stone, black cherry and truffle. With air, the medium/full bodied, sensuous, wine filled out in the glass while becoming softer, with more richness. Ready to drink and close to maturity, ends with fresh blackberry and spicy plum sensations."

WEINWISSER: "Dichtes Violett-Purpur. In der Nase tintiges Bouquet, Rosenblattnoten, Spitzwegerichduft, Kaffee. Im Gaumen eine intensive Konzentration zeigend, die Gerbstoffe dadurch relativ massiv in den Vordergrund tretend, wieder Kaffee, jetzt auch die Troplong-typischen Amarenatöne zeigend. An sich ein recht grosser Wein, fraglich ist jedoch, ob er seine angestammte Härte dereinst verlieren wird."

DECANTER: "A late harvest year, at a château that was already renowned at that time for harvests that invariably began in October. This has softened considerably over the past 19 years, showing truffle and black pepper notes, traces of graphite and creme de cassis. The vintage itself held them back from the excesses of later years such as 2005, and later 2009 and 2010, where alcohols reached 15.5%, even 16%, but you can feel the pushing of extraction. 100% new oak. Owned by Christine Valette and Thierry Pariente at the time, at the height of their pursuit of a big, rich style that still offers pleasure today and has another decade of good drinking ahead, but is not likely to develop further in complexity from here."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This is a dark and rich red with lovely spice, berry and dark chocolate character. Slightly overextracted, but there is a good core of fruit and silky tannins. Give it time in the bottle. I like it as much as the 2000, though it's slightly sleeker in style. Best after 2007. 5,415 cases made."