1988 Château Troplong-Mondot
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Tasting notes
Tawny brick around the edging, heading to pale rose. Gentle melted tannins, dried roses and smoked earth, this is very much in its tertiary phase, beautiful classicism, has a sense of life, but at this point is a gentle old school St Emilion, with touches of salted cracker and saffron as it opens, and waves of welcoming campfire smoke. The quality of the terroir comes through on the finish, with a gentle lick of freshness bouyed up by the limestone soils. This has heart, and is a lovely wine. Claude Valette was owner at the time, with his daughter Christine running things, and Jean-Pierre Taleyson cellar master. Michel Rolland already consultant, as he would remain until 2017. 50% new oak.
Critic scores
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Red-fruit conserve and more evolution on show. Pleasing weight but neither hugely deep nor complex. Although lacking some heft, this is a Troplong Mondot which is very clean and precise. Opened up with aeration, developing some additional sweetness. (AWH)
The 1988 Troplong Mondot is a vintage that I have tasted for many many years i.e never. It has quite a deep colour. It has a very pleasant bouquet, maybe a little gentle after 30 years, brambly blackberry and bilberry fruit, quite precise, hints of black truffle developing with time. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly rustic tannin, almost Left Bank in terms of structure with a fresh, graphite tinged finish. It might lack finesse and length but there is something just very “honest” about this 1988 Saint-Émilion. Tasted at the château.
A beauty that has reached full maturity, this elegant wine has notes of tapenade, plums, black cherries, vanilla, and smoke, followed by medium-bodied, sweet, expansive flavors that show beautifully integrated tannin and acidity. Anticipated maturity: Now-2010. Last tasted, 11/02.
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.