Chateau Troplong Mondot 2020

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "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."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This firmly structured wine with its high percentage of Merlot is powerful and dense. The bold black fruits and perfumed density are impressive. It will age, ready to drink from 2028."

JEB DUNNUCK: "A clear step up over the 2019, the 2020 Château Troplong Mondot is mostly Merlot yet includes 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc, all of which was raised in 65% new French oak, with the balance in once-used barrels. The level of purity and finesse here is remarkable, and it reveals a deep ruby/purple hue as well as incredible aromatics of cassis, ripe black cherries, graphite, gunpowder, and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has building, perfectly ripe tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. Certainly light years away from the riper, more opulent style of the 2000's, the wines today under consultant Thomas Duclos are much more about finesse and elegance. While I certainly miss the sexy, riper style of the past, there is no denying the incredible quality from this château today."

JAMES SUCKLING: "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. Needs three to four years to open. Drink after 2027."

WEINWISSER: "Dicht verwobenes Bouquet, frische Wildkirsche, betörender Jasmin- Duft, ein Hauch Minze, Milchschokolade und Tannenhonig. Am komplexen Gaumen seidige Textur, balancierte feinpfeffrige Rasse, gute Spannung aufbauend, engmaschiges Tanningerüst und athletischer Körper. Im konzentrierten Finale schwarzbeerige Konturen, erkalteter Earl-Grey, Kakaopulver und getrocknete Küchenkräuter – hier ist alles am richtigen Platz und es gilt Geduld zu bewahren. Seit Direktor Aymeric de Gironde hier 2018 das Ruder übernommen hat, geht es mit diesem St.- Émilion steil bergauf. Gehört daher zu Recht auf jede Einkaufsliste in der Kategorie First."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Süße, dunkle Beerenfrucht, Nuancen von Cassis und Brombeeren, ein Hauch von Feigen ist unterlegt, zarte Kräuterwürze, mineralischer Touch. Stoffig, kraftvoll, süße schwarze Kirschen, reife, tragende und zugleich seidige Tannine, dunkler Nougat im Abgang, verfügt über große aromatische Tiefe, mineralisch-frisch im Finale, sehr gute Länge, sicheres Reifepotenzial."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Flowers, cherries, plums, licorice and an array of spices greet your nose. The wine is rich, full-bodied, concentrated, seductive and packed from start to finish with layers of crushed rocks, licorice, blackberries, currants and cocoa, ending with light touches of chalk, along with sweet red and black pit fruits that build as they linger. Similar to what I found with the barrel sample, even with all its richness, the wine remains light on its feet with its strong sense of minerality and lift. Drink from 2027-2055."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Closed, locked, compressed. Flashes of green herbal character to the black fruit. Firm but velvety tannins. A lighter style of Troplong, but that flesh may well grow as the wine evolves. The impressive length hints at the complexity to come."

DECANTER: "Milk chocolate, violets, roses, lots of vibrant floral aromas with blue and red fruit. Super-fresh and vibrant, a crystalline and finessed aspect to the blueberry, red cherry and damson fruit but remaining quite fine in terms of texture. Focused, not so rich or plush, silky with the limestone giving the strictness, but also precision, sense of purity and salty, slate minerality alongside clove, cinnamon and liquorice. Mouthwatering acidity gives the vibrancy and overall this is round, layered and well balanced with energy and focus. Consistent quality in 2020 with a touch of the Trolong shine and sparkle. Ageing 60% one-year-old barrels, 40% stainless steel tank for 14 months. This is worth stocking up on."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Sleek and fresh, with alluring black cherry and red currant coulis notes lined with a floral hint, ending with a caressing feel. Not big but sneaky long, with a subtle flint echo at the very end. Approachable now too, but will benefit from some cellaring. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2035."