The 2017 Troplong Mondot is stunning, just as it was en primeur. Rich and ample, yet endowed with striking energy as well, the 2017 is the first vintage made by new CEO Aymeric de Gironde and consulting winemaker Thomas Duclos. The 2017 takes hold of all the senses and never lets up. All of the power that is typical of this site is evident, it seems to come so naturally, and yet picking earlier and then using a lighter hand in the cellar yielded a Troplong of uncommon energy and vibrancy. The 2017 has been nothing short of thrilling on the four occasions I have tasted it from bottle so far. What a wine!

This wine is structured, with dense tannins as well as impressively ripe black fruit. Showing lifted acidity, succulent blackberry flavors and elegance, it has a good future and will be ready from 2025.

The 2017 Chateau Troplong Mondot continues in the new style of this estate and is based on 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Cabernet Franc from healthy yields of 48 hectoliters per hectare. Its deep ruby/purple hue is followed by a stunning perfume of creme de cassis, black raspberries, white chocolate, crushed flowers, and a terrific sense of minerality. Flawlessly balanced, medium to full-bodied, and nicely concentrated, it shows the more elegant, classical style of the vintage beautifully. It has the texture and balance to drink brilliantly today yet will benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age and keep for two decades or more.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Troplong Mondot is a little closed to begin, soon unfurling to reveal expanding notions of warm blackberries, wild blueberries and licorice plus hints of smoked meats, black olives, pencil shavings and truffles. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed mouth-coating black fruits, exploding into loads of earthy sparks with a soft, velvety texture from ripe, rounded tannins. It finishes with spectacular freshness and loads of layers.

Very fresh in feel, with silky textured plum, cassis and cherry flavors infused with rooibos tea, mineral and floral notes. The long, refined finish lets the pure fruit sing, while the minerally edge adds detail. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2021 through 2037.