2021 Troplong Mondot
Buying options
Tasting notes
Tasted blind. Mid crimson. Hint of tea leaves on the nose adds some allure and then there is considerable acidity on the end. More complete than many. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Pale crimson. Some juiciness. Not overdone in terms of either oak or extraction. A little sweet fruit. But still pretty bitter on the end. (JR)
A blend of 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Château Troplong Mondot was raised in 55% new oak, 21% in once-used, and the balance in foudre for 14 months. It's ruby, semi-opaque hue is followed by a beautiful perfume of smoky black raspberries, crunchy cherries, chalky minerality, rose, and spring flowers. It's medium-bodied, has ultra-fine tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and just a pretty, pure, seamless style. It clearly offers pleasure today but should be given 4-5 years, and it will evolve for two decades.
The 2021 Troplong Mondot is fabulous. It offers up a rush of dark red-toned fruit, crushed rocks, leather, menthol, cedar and blood orange. As always, Troplong Mondot is marked by a strong presence of Cabernet Sauvignon that seems to add brooding intensity, muscle and power. I tasted it three times. A bottle given a brief decant of about 20 minutes showed best. The 2021 spent 13 months in oak (two months less than normal), in a mix of 60% new, 21% 20-hectoliter cask and 19% once-used. The 2021 is a Troplong Mondot of extreme purity and class.
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.