Château Troplong Mondot - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2011

Decanter Magazine

17,25 / 20

the12/31/2014

Violet, blackcurrant and cedar on the complex nose. The palate is rich, supple, swwet and seductive. A big, powerful wine with big structure and tannins, but with the fruit to match it for a good future. Drink 2016-2035. (90+/100 points)

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/2/2014

The brilliant 2011 Troplong Mondot is one of the superstars of the vintage. The final blend was 89% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc, and the wine tips the scales at 14.5% alcohol. Its opaque blue/purple, nearly black color is followed by aromas of blueberry liqueur interwoven with black raspberries, blackberries, licorice, camphor and forest floor. Among the most complete wines of the vintage, with no hollowness, astringency or herbaceousness, this is a tour de force in a challenging vintage. Some tannins are noticeable, but this 2011 is already approachable and should provide delicious, complex drinking over the next two decades. Bravo!

It was with great sadness and grief that I learned of proprietor Christine Valette’s passing on March 29, 2014 at entirely too young an age.

Jamessuckling.com

93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/19/2014

This is a muscular wine for the vintage with loads of fruit and tannins, not to mention the new wood. Full body, chewy and intense. Lots of minerals, sweet tobacco and berries. Needs a least three to four years to soften. A big, muscular 2011. 85% merlot, 10% cabernet sauvignon and 5% cabernet franc.

Wine Spectator

92 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/11/2014

This pulls no punches, with a torrent of raspberry preserves, plum sauce and blackberry cobbler rushing forth, studded with warm fruit cake and melted licorice notes. Offers a long, well-toasted finish, where everything hangs together harmoniously. An impressive example of the powerful style. Best from 2016 through 2028.

La Revue du Vin de France

17-17,5 / 20

the5/31/2012

Comparé à 2010, cet assemblage donne une part plus importante au cabernet franc (12%) qu'au cabernet-sauvignon (4%), associés à 84% de merlot. 85% fûts neufs. 10% de l'échantillon sont issus d'une vinification intégrale (en tonneaux de 600 litres) qui correspond à des microsélections parcellaires. Ce vin puissant séduit par sa densité, son grain tannique finement sucré qui reste très frais et son allonge en saveurs acidulées. Une élégance mûre et masculine.

Le Point

16-16,5 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/17/2012

Fruits noirs, boisé, cassis, gelée de mûre, puissant, gras, riche, tanins serrés, beaucoup de volume, assez extrait, finale accrocheuse qui demande à se fondre, le fruité s'inscrit dans le registre du très mûr. O= 2018 G= 15 ans

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

87-90 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe5/12/2012

Purple-ruby; this stains the glass. Superripe, showy aromas of plum, blackberry jam and sweet spices. Then very oaky and astringent in the mouth, with the black fruit flavors currently overswhelmed by mouth-drying tannins. This wine is saved by its floral, complex perfume; otherwise I'd have serious reservations about it. My hope is that time will bring better balance and a smoother middle palate.

Decanter.com

17,5 / 20

the4/30/2012

Dark and modern but the power commensurate with the vintage. Intense, spicy and rich but a little less force and more finesse. Drink 2020-2030.

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2012

The wine boasts a dense blue/purple color as well as aromas of black raspberries, blackberries, acacia flowers, espresso, toasty oak, and a sweet, mossy, foresty character that ranges from an autumnal, vegetative smell to minerality. Opulent, dense and strikingly rich and extracted with moderately high tannins, this is one of the bigger, richer wines of the vintage. Give it 4-5 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 20-25. Christine Valette has turned in another impressive performance, although despite its obvious success, the 2011 will never be compared with what she achieved in the three previous vintages, 2008, 2009 and 2010, not to mention the monumental 2005. Yields were 41 hectoliters per hectare, and the final blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc hit 14.5% natural alcohol.(91-93+ points)

TAST

17-17,5 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2012

Robe profonde, arômes généreux de liqueur de fruits noirs, bouche puissante, un peu entêtante, démontrant une ambition certaine. L'ensemble ne manque évidemment ni de potentiel, ni de promesses, l'élevage se chargeant d'affiner cette matière encore brute.

The Wine Cellar Insider

94-96 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/27/2012

Blending 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached approximately 14.5% alcohol. From yields of 41 hectoliters per hectare, the wine is aged in 85% new oak. Inky in color with blue/purple color in the rim, the wine is plush, rich, round and polished with chocolate-covered boysenberry, caramel, earth, coffee and plummy scents. Filled with sweet, ripe, fresh bitter chocolate and cherries, there is length, purity and polish. 94-96 Pts

Wine Advocate

87-89 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/27/2012

A blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc picked from 16th September with the Merlot until 5th October with the Cabernet. The nose on the 2011 is tightly wound with reluctant blackberry and cassis notes, the alcohol more contained than last year. The palate is full-bodied with ripe, furry tannins and layers of toasty, quite spicy black fruit laced with liquorice. The finish is a little dry and mealy and comparing it directly to the sample of Chateau Canon...well, the difference cannot be disguised. Tasted April 2012

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

byJulia Harding MWthe4/24/2012

Drink 2017-2027
Deep black cherry colour, black core. Sweet but not overripe damson and plum. A touch floral and toasty/tarry too. Bags of black fruit, chocolate texture and flavour on the palate. (JH)

Wine Spectator

91-94 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/10/2012

A gorgeous red, offering ganache and fig notes melded nicely together, with ample heft, but good freshness, with a long, dark, richly layered finish. This goes for power—and pulls it off.—J.M.

Wine Enthusiast

92-94 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/6/2012

Mint and new wood aromas lead to a palate that has dark and concentrated tannins. The wine is bright and fresh, with juicy black-currant and plum flavors. —R.V

Jamessuckling.com

93-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/1/2012

I love the aromas of blackberries with hints of minerals and flowers. Hints of subtle sandalwood. Full body, with a beautiful balance of juicy fruit and bright acidity. Long and spicy with intense character. 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc.