Château Troplong Mondot 2005

The second wine of Troplong Mondot, Christine Valette’s 2005 Mondot is noteworthy. Dense plum/ruby/purple in color, its new saddle leather, plum, soy and balsamic notes are followed by a medium to full-bodied, luscious, soft, silky textured wine. It is rich, fleshy and best drunk over the next 7-8 years.

Exhibits aromas of coffee, ripe fruit, wild mushroom and blackberry. Dark and very complex. Full-bodied and chewy, yet velvety and beautiful, with intense flavors of blackberry, chocolate and tobacco. Very, very long. This is layered and gorgeous. Best after 2016. 6,250 cases made.

Tasted blind. Hint of sweet coconut oak on the nose. Pure direct flavours but some almost bitter tannins on the end. Over-extracted. (JR)

The 2005 Troplong Mondot is a heady, sumptuous beauty. Sweet black cherry, plum, chocolate, spice, new leather, licorice and menthol all open in the glass. Hedonistic and opulent to the core, the 2005 is a decidedly exuberant Saint-Émilion. I would open it a few hours in advance, as aeration helps soften some of the initial flamboyance. The 2005 is a gorgeous, captivating wine. It is modern Saint-Émilion at its finest. Moreover, it does not appear to have lost much, if anything, since the last time I tasted it a few years ago!

Close to its peak drinking window, the wine loaded with wet earth, smoke, licorice, dark chocolate, figs and black cherries. Concentrated, ripe, round, lush and long, this hedonistic treat ends with an opulent blast of dark cherries, espresso, smoke, blueberry and plum liqueur.

Deep, dark garnet with a purplish sheen. An intense bouquet reminiscent of black cherry compote—powerful, with smoky notes and real depth. Firm, full-bodied palate: velvety on the outside at first, then gripping and uncompromising at its core, carrying plenty of blueberry fruit. Demanding concentration with an astringency that is still rather assertive. A truly great Troplong—or (as often) a very tough Troplong? If the wine can absorb its tannins, it will be the former, and in five years it will earn two more points.

Dark, deep garnet with a purple sheen. An intense bouquet scented with black cherry compote—powerful, also smoky and deep. A firm, full palate: it first shows a melting texture on the outside, then grips hard at the core, carrying lots of blueberries, an insistent concentration and an astringency that is still quite demanding. The question is whether this will be a truly great wine, or—unfortunately as has so often been the case—a very hard Troplong. If it manages to digest its own tannins, the first part of the question is answered in the affirmative and it will gain another two full points in 5 years’ time! (17/20). 08: comes across as very exotic and fleshy, though the trend is upward.

Opulent, rich, broad bouquet with cooked chocolate, overripe black cherries and plum skin. Sweet, spirituous, full-bodied palate with generous fruit and dry tannins. Drying finish. 16/20 2014 - 2025

Still young, just about bricking around the edges and starting to give up its secrets - bright ruby red, softening around the rim to show gentle tawny. Waves of fresh acidity with generous brambled fruit that melts into the tannins, this shows dried herbs, truffles, incense, layered, black chocolate, espresso, tar and campfire. 100% new oak, Michel Rolland consultant. Served out of magnum (last tasted out of bottle in 2022).

A wine of great stature, with a truffled, gourmet nose, a rich, full-bodied palate brimming with vitality, and tremendous generosity.

The bouquet alone suggests density… and complexity. Notes of tea leaves and candied dark berries, complemented by a hint of cocoa and a few woody nuances. On the palate, the wine benefits from a tannic backbone, yet it shows incredible concentration, and the tannins really grip… while remaining sufficiently wrapped up. Decanting is strongly recommended! At least 2 hours.

Logo on the cork: MS Beautiful deep, intense dark red. A hint of development. Moderately aromatic nose with ripe fruit. Truffled nuances. Delicate on the attack, very aromatic through the mid-palate, the wine melts on the palate towards a mineral finish that evokes limestone. Angular-free tannins. Tasted twice this year with no particular emotion, even though it has carried so much!