Troplong Mondot - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2017

Wine Advocate

95

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe3/17/2020

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Troplong Mondot is a little closed to begin, soon unfurling to reveal expanding notions of warm blackberries, wild blueberries and licorice plus hints of smoked meats, black olives, pencil shavings and truffles. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed mouth-coating black fruits, exploding into loads of earthy sparks with a soft, velvety texture from ripe, rounded tannins. It finishes with spectacular freshness and loads of layers. Drinking Window : 2024 - 2050

Vinous

98

byAntonio Gallonithe3/11/2020

The 2017 Troplong Mondot is stunning, just as it was en primeur. Rich and ample, yet endowed with striking energy as well, the 2017 is the first vintage made by new CEO Aymeric de Gironde and consulting winemaker Thomas Duclos. The 2017 takes hold of all the senses and never lets up. All of the power that is typical of this site is evident, it seems to come so naturally, and yet picking earlier and then using a lighter hand in the cellar yielded a Troplong of uncommon energy and vibrancy. The 2017 has been nothing short of thrilling on the four occasions I have tasted it from bottle so far. What a wine! 98+

Wine Spectator

94

byJames Molesworththe2/7/2020

Very fresh in feel, with silky textured plum, cassis and cherry flavors infused with rooibos tea, mineral and floral notes. The long, refined finish lets the pure fruit sing, while the minerally edge adds detail. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2021 through 2037. — JM

Jamessuckling.com

96

byJames Sucklingthe1/13/2020

Very perfumed and subtle with crushed currants, smoke and blackberries. Medium to full body. Compressed, round tannins and a flavorful finish. Shows focus and finesse with serious structure for the vintage. It grows slowly on the palate. Really beautiful. Drink after 2022.

Jeb DUNNUCK

92-94

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/1/2019

The 2017 Château Troplong Mondot offers a much more fresh, focused, vibrant style. Deep ruby/purple-colored, with a perfumed bouquet of black raspberries, spring flowers, graphite, and that classic minerality of the estate, it's medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, has fine tannins, and a great finish. It's not going to match the 2016, but it’s certainly an elegant, pretty, graceful wine.

Le Point

16,5

byJacques Dupontthe6/20/2018

Fruits noirs, cerise, bouche élégante, fraîche, beaucoup de fruit, long et fin, très gourmand, étiré, en longueur, finale crayeuse.

Vinifera

94

byJacques Perrinthe5/28/2018

Monumental nez de cèdre, d’épices et quinquina, original et singulier, qui démontre le grand vin de plateau qu’il est. Bouche à l’avenant, d’une plénitude totale, assez hors classe pour le millésime par son côté truffé, viril et vineux. Impressionnant.

Vinous

95-98

byAntonio Gallonithe5/15/2018

The 2017 Troplong Mondot is easily one of the wines of the vintage. New CEO Aymeric de Gironde (formerly of Cos d’Estournel) and consulting oenologist Thomas Duclos are masterminding a remarkable new chapter in the life of Troplong Mondot. A major stylistic shift in the direction of freshness and energy has resulted in a positively stunning Troplong Mondot endowed with tremendous depth and vibrant. A rush of black cherry, plum, mocha, new leather and spice builds as this gorgeous Saint-Émilion shows off its breeding and total class. The blend is 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc .

The Wine Cellar Insider

94-96

byJeff Levethe5/11/2018

Licorice, smoke, black cherry, plum and crushed rocks create the nose. On the palate, the wine is full bodied, sweetly authentic and luxuriously textured. There is more virtue in the fruit but less density and lower alcohol than in previous vintages and

Vinous

91-93

byNeal Martinthe5/1/2018

The 2017 Troplong Mondot, the first under the new regime of former Cos d’Estournel manager Aymeric de Gironde, has a gorgeous bouquet with well defined red and black fruit, hints of dark chocolate and crushed flowers, a subtle mineral undercurrent that becomes more prominent with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin. This is a much fresher and balanced style of Troplong Mondot that tended to be over-egged in the past The terroir is much more evident where it counts – in the glass. There is a pleasant spiciness that comes through with aeration and a touch of sense of tension from start to finish. If this represents how this estate will continue, then the new era is going to be festooned with some exemplary wines.

Wine Advocate

95-97

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/27/2018

Troplong Mondot saw hardly any frost—less than 10%. The 2017 Troplong Mondot is blended of 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc. Very deep purple-black in color, it offers up a cedar chest, cinnamon stick and cloves-laced nose with a core of crème de cassis, blackberry compote and preserved plums plus wafts of licorice, violets and sandalwood. Full-bodied, concentrated and sporting a firm frame of velvety tannins, it has a lively line lifting the densely packed fruit, finishing long and on a compelling savory note.

Decanter.com

96

byJane Ansonthe4/25/2018

Aymeric de Gironde arrived here from Cos d'Estournel in September 2017, and he is clearly intending to make his mark. To get things started, they have brought the harvest dates forward (particularly on the Butte de Mondot, where drainage in recent years has stopped that clay mound being as cool as it once was). They have also stopped carrying out malolactic in new oak and brought the level of new oak down to 65% from 90%. They have a new consultant in the form of Thomas Duclos - this is surely his year - and carried out the blending before ageing in barrel, in a nod to Aymeric's left bank experience. Very little here was affected by the frost, giving a yield of 45hl/ha, 95% used for the grand vin. This is a terroir that doesn't need to be dressed up, as I have said several times in the past, and Aymeric is taking what had already begun under Xavier Parrente to the next level. This is one of the few wines to really make your heart race in 2017, with its blueberry and cool, black fruit notes with zippy minerality and a juicy, slightly saline finish. There is plenty of power, but it's contained, and the fruit is almost surprising in its purity and direction - it makes everyone around the table start talking. This is an extremely surprising 2017, one that I absolutely recommend without hesitation.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

17,5

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/17/2018

Wine Enthusiast

92-94

byRoger Vossthe4/17/2018

This wine has the bold fruit that is the hallmark of this estate. It is a generous wine, packed with soft fruit flavors and light tannins, suggesting a wine that will age relatively quickly. Drink this ripe wine from 2023.

Jamessuckling.com

95-96

byJames Sucklingthe4/6/2018

A bright and vivid red with dark-berry and plum character. Floral and bright. Medium to full body. Intense and crystal-clear. Ultra-fine tannins with a long and beautiful. Wonderful balance and harmony.

Wine Spectator

91-94

byJames Molesworththe4/4/2018

Good bramble and anise notes are matched by blackberry and black cherry compote flavors. A fresh savory streak underscores the finish. Sneakily long, with an emphasis on freshness.—J.M.