Château Troplong Mondot Saint-Emilion 2025 - 1er Grand Cru Classé (Primeurs)

Crowning the Côte Pavie, this 27-hectare vineyard has suffered less from erosion than any of the other Saint-Emilion crus. The uniqueness of this contiguous terroir stems from this specific location, as well as its very dense, heavy clays—originating from the Agenais region and interspersed with stones and pebbles. Its former owner, Catherine Valette-Pariente, who passed away in 2014, had restored Troplong Mondot to its former glory; the estate was acquired in 2017 by the reinsurer Scor. The property was then entrusted to Aymeric de Gironde, who had previously managed Cos d’Estournel, one of the Médoc’s most prominent classified growths. To help the wine gain more nuance and freshness, this native of the Charente region modified the winemaking process upon his arrival: a gentler method based on the infusion of pomace and raw materials, along with 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: with this new facility, the team will be able to execute all technical processes with greater precision. It will also allow for better utilization of the latest land acquisitions—such as Clos Labarde and Bellisle-Mondotte, neighboring vineyards that will, for the time being, be blended into 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.

Harvested between August 28 and September 25 (undoubtedly one of the widest harvest windows in Bordeaux this year, but entirely logical given the estate’s varying altitudes and exposures), the 2025 Troplong Mondot is one of the vintage’s standout wines. Featuring a deep bouquet of blackberries and plums, complemented by floral notes of lilac, iris, and subtle spices, it is full-bodied, deep, and dense, with an intense core of fruit framed by lively acidity and soft yet abundant tannins. A blend of 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Cabernet Franc, it will rival the 2022, although the two vintages are very different in character.

 

Following the passing in 2014 of its owner, Christine Valette-Pariente, Troplong-Mondot—which sits atop the most commanding vantage point in Saint-Emilion—seems to be questioning its future. “Queen Christine,” along with her husband Xavier, embodied the rebirth of this estate, which was confirmed in 2012 as a Premier Grand Cru B. A well-deserved distinction, first and foremost due to the terroir, but also to the work carried out by Christine and Xavier Pariente over more than twenty years. Every vintage produced since the late 1980s (with 1989 and 1990 leading the way) has pushed the boundaries to demonstrate the excellence of this estate situated on the Mondot hill. A chapter has come to a close, one that has left its mark on the contemporary history of Saint-Emilion. It’s worth noting that the château features an excellent restaurant in an intimate and refined setting, as well as magnificent guest rooms (Les Belles Perdrix).

Troplong Mondot 2025 is one of the most refined wines I have ever tasted here. Deep, full-bodied, and explosive, with breathtaking purity, the 2025 simply has it all. Notes of dried herbs, chocolate, menthol, licorice, and blackberry lend the wine remarkable concentration and pure power. Despite all its natural richness, the 2025 is not heavy in the least. An absolutely breathtaking Saint-Émilion, the Troplong Mondot is very clearly one of the standout wines of the vintage. The harvest began on August 28 (the earliest on record) and ended nearly a month later, on September 25, illustrating the great diversity of the region’s terroirs. The wine was aged 50% in new oak barrels and 40% in 20-hectoliter casks. 2035–2075

Since 2020, this estate has been producing absolutely brilliant vintages, and the pure and graceful Château Troplong Mondot 2025 is a complete success. Aromas of black raspberry, crushed stone, spicy graphite, and a variety of floral notes define its bouquet. On the palate, it offers medium- to full-bodied structure, with a pure and complex texture, beautiful concentration on the mid-palate, and a remarkable finish. It is one of those rare wines that offers remarkable intensity and depth without any sense of heaviness, and its style most closely resembles that of the 2020 vintage.

Precision is, of course, one of the recurring characteristics at Troplong-Mondot. The bouquet reflects this, highlighting floral and fruity nuances—all of which emphasize detail rather than intensity. Slightly creamy on the palate, the wine displays power, finesse, and, above all, depth. Its velvety texture underscores its elegance, while its tannic structure highlights its power. These elements harmonize beautifully! They complement each other perfectly and are exactly in sync. The wine gains breadth across the palate and is supported by silky tannins that are perfectly balanced with a structuring acidity that provides brightness and tension. Subtle nuances slightly temper the wine’s energy and vigor, which only serves to enhance its harmony. What dynamism! A fresh, savory, incisive, and charming wine. 2030–2060