Château Troplong Mondot - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 1989

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe5/31/1999

Seductive. Gorgeously perfumed, loads of raspberry and floral aromas. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a delicious blackberry and dark chocolate aftertaste.--1989 Bordeaux horizontal. Best after 2005.

Wine Advocate

96 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe9/1/1998

The 1989 Troplong-Mondot is an extraordinary wine. It is slightly less evolved than the 1990, with more muscle and tannin, but equally rich and compelling. The color is an opaque dark ruby/purple, and the wine offers up aromas of licorice, prunes, black cherries, and sweet cassis fruit intermingled with high quality toasty new oak and smoke. This is a full-bodied, rich, layered, concentrated wine that should evolve more slowly than the 1990. It is a spectacular achievement in this vintage! Anticipated maturity: 2003-2025. Last tasted 12/97

Wine Advocate

96 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/1997

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.

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/1993

The 1989 exhibits a medium-bodied, enormously rich, powerful, concentrated feel on the palate, with highly extracted flavors of black raspberries and vanillin. Tannic, yet voluptuous because of its low acidity, this is a stunning, intensely fragrant and compelling wine. A remarkably classy wine. Anticipated maturity: 1994-2008.

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1992

The 1989 exhibits a medium-bodied, enormously rich, powerful, concentrated feel on the palate, with highly extracted flavors of black raspberries and vanillin. Tannic, yet voluptuous because of its low acidity, this is a stunning, intensely fragrant and compelling wine. I suspect Christine Fabre probably prefers the more restrained and elegant 1988 to her 1989. A remarkably classy wine. Anticipated maturity: 1994-2008. Tasted seven times. Consistent notes.