2012 Troplong Mondot
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Tasting notes
Rich and exuberant on the nose with masses of ripe fruit. This is typically big in style with a lot of alcohol, but it is balanced and there is plenty of acidity to match the ripeness of fruit. Complete. FINE+RARE
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
FINE+RARE
More reviews and scores
The 2012 is another truly great wine from Troplong Mondot. It’s always sentimental to taste this wine, realizing that proprietress Christine Valette (the larger-than-life heart and soul behind this estate) has passed away. She was one of the bright, shining stars of Bordeaux. Nevertheless, her legacy is certainly well-established, and the quality of this wine is beyond reproach. Inky bluish purple, its great notes of cassis, blackberry, licorice are followed by a full-bodied, opulently textured wine with stunning concentration, purity and overall balance. It should drink well for 20-25 years and turn out to be one of the great superstars of 2012. Their 63-acre vineyard was cropped at 31 hectoliters per hectare, producing a final blend of 90% Merlot and 10 Cabernet Sauvignon that achieved 14.2% alcohol.
Rich and powerful yet velvety with polished tannins and a long finish. Full and impressive. Remains fresh despite slightly elevated alcohol. James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
Well-toasted, with coffee and ganache notes coating the core of crushed plum and blackberry fruit. Keeps a hefty feel through the finish, with the ganache edge dominating. Lacks the taut feel of the vintage, pulling off the powerful style with aplomb. WineSpectator.com—J.M.
About the producer
This estate – promoted in 2006 to Premier Grand Cru Classé B – is perched at the highest point in Saint-Emilion. Aymeric de Gironde has been managing the property since 2017 and guided it to new heights.