Château Troplong Mondot Saint-Emilion 2019 - 1er Grand Cru Classé B

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Crowning the Côte Pavie, this 27-hectare vineyard has suffered less erosion than all the other Saint-Emilion crus. The uniqueness of this single-block terroir lies in its particular location, as well as its powerful, very dense clay soils, originating from the Agenais region and dotted with stones and pebbles. Its former owner, Catherine Valette-Pariente, who passed away in 2014, had restored Troplong Mondot to its former glory. It was bought in 2017 by the reinsurer Scor. The property was then entrusted to Aymeric de Gironde, who ran Cos d'Estournel, one of the most prominent classified growths in the Médoc. To give the wine more nuance and freshness, Aymeric, who is originally from Charente, changed the winemaking process as soon as he arrived: a gentler method based on the infusion of marc and raw materials, and a reduction in the use of new barrels were the first adjustments made. To better showcase the vineyard plots, a new winery is under construction: this new facility will allow for greater precision in all technical operations. It will also enable the latest land acquisitions to be better utilized, whether Clos Labarde or Bellisle-Mondotte, neighboring vineyards that will initially be used for the second wine. In 2020, as part of this new concept, the restaurant is set to reopen with the same Michelin-starred chef, David Charrier. The 2017 and 2018 vintages mark the arrival of a fresher, more accessible style.

Decanter

About wine:

The first vintage produced without malolactic fermentation in barrels, it offers elegant, fresh fruit in a linear style with very fine tannins and a supple, seductive texture. 2027-2049

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About wine:

Is there any other Bordeaux château that has achieved such a radical stylistic revolution in such a short space of time as Troplong Mondot? Since Aymeric de Gironde arrived at the estate in late 2017, the ultra-powerful "shock and awe" style of the 2000s has been consigned to history, replaced by a new refinement. Of course, the deep clay soils that define the heart of the vineyard around the château itself are not likely to produce light or fleeting wines, but Aymeric de Gironde has astutely understood that (to develop an analogy) when driving downhill, you can release the accelerator. Troplong Mondot 2019 is a striking confirmation of this new direction. It opens with complex aromas of wild berries, violet, coniferous undergrowth, licorice, raw cocoa, and subtle spices. This is followed by a full-bodied, velvety and layered palate, fluid and fragrant, whose enveloping core of succulent fruit is framed by rich, powdery tannins and lively acids. Harmonious and penetrating, I never thought I would taste such a wine from Troplong Mondot. 2027-2060

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Following the death of its owner, Christine Valette-Pariente, in 2014, Troplong-Mondot, which occupies the most dominant position in Saint-Emilion, seems to be questioning its future. "Queen Christine" and her husband Xavier embodied the renaissance of this estate, which was confirmed in 2012 with its classification as a Premier Grand Cru Classé B. This was a well-deserved reward, not only for the terroir, but also for the work carried out by Christine and Xavier Pariente over more than twenty years. All the vintages produced since the late 1980s (1989 and 1990 in particular) have pushed the boundaries to demonstrate the excellence of this estate located on the Mondot hill. A page has been turned, one that will have marked the contemporary history of Saint-Emilion. It should be noted that the château offers an excellent restaurant in a personal and refined setting and magnificent guest rooms (Les Belles Perdrix).

Wine Enthusiast

About wine:

The magnificent Merlot blend has increased the alcohol content, while giving the wine a touch of velvet and power. This estate is now at the peak of its form, producing a generously ripe wine with aromas of black plum. It is enhanced by the acidity, which also reinforces the wine's intensity. Drink from 2026 onwards.

Terre de Vins

About wine:

Another milestone has been reached by the Troplong Mondot teams, who have been revolutionizing the industry for the past three years. The nose reveals depth, brilliance, and beautiful definition. Superb on the palate, extremely velvety, both creamy and energetic. Underlying this is the natural power of the terroir, superbly contained: an iron fist in a velvet glove, full of finesse, precision, and subtlety. The whole is juicy, aromatic, and electrifying. The finish is both sanguine and mineral, very invigorating. This wine has many lives ahead of it.

Yves Beck

About wine:

2019 is increasingly shaping up to be a crowning achievement, a renaissance, the obvious turning point that began in 2017. A symbiosis of freshness and maturity, chalky and fruity nuances, charm and rigor. On the palate, the wine is not distinguished by its opulence, but by its muscle, by its ability to reconcile power and precision with flavor and sensuality. A brilliant and very accomplished wine. Now – 2049

Anthocyanes - Yohan Castaing

About wine:

Superb nose of violets, black fruits, blackcurrants, and raspberries with remarkable brightness and purity. What brilliance and freshness on the nose! Juicy and fleshy texture, dense but smooth with a crystalline texture, lots of purity, precision, and freshness. Perfectly integrated, silky tannins, laser-like as the English say, superb length and traceability, and above all an airy, pure and delicate finish. A very great Troplong Mondot, just as good as the formidable 2018 and perhaps better in the long term. One of the wines closest to its terroir. Bravo!