2022 Chateau Troplong Mondot - St. Emilion Grand Cru Classe

Decanter.com – (98-100) pts – GH: *A supremely excellent Troplong in 2022 that has the hallmarks of a concentrated vintage but delivered with ultimate poise and precision. A joy to taste and once again one of my favourites. Sharp, sleek, sour, bright and cool - I love the instant freshness and drinkability of this, tannins are fresh and detailed with both a plush and cool texture underpinned by layers of flavour with depth and concentration. Clearly muscular but pixelated - it’s not tense, lean or austere but generous, charming and playful. Supple and succulent, still with ripe strawberry, cherry and raspberry fruit, a mix of bright red and black berries with wet stone, liquorice, dark chocolate and graphite giving the terroir. Silky, balanced acidity and overall so well controlled and presented. 3.5pH. Ageing 50% new oak, reduced by 5% plus 21% in 20hl foudre, 24% one wine barrels. 98-100 points.* - 04/2023

Falstaff Magazin – 98 pts – PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe. zarte Randaufhellung. Nuancen von reifen Herzkirschen, zart nach Lakritze, rote Frucht ist unterlegt, ein Hauch von Mandarinen, floraler Touch. Saftig, elegant, seidig und mineralisch, zarte Fruchtsüße, angenehme Säurestruktur, reife, tragende Tannine, delikat und anhaftend, zeigt eine unglaubliche Länge und Frische, sicheres Reifepotenzial, für Jahrzehnte.* - 01/2023

Vinum Magazin – 17/20 pts: *Besitzt Rasse, Frische, Spannkraft und Tiefe, endet lang und fruchtig-würzig; besitzt Klasse, ist hervorragend gemacht.* - 04/2023

WeinWisser – 19+/20pts – GL, TW: *85 % Merlot, 13 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 2 % Cabernet Franc, 50 hl/ha. 21 % Fuder. Dicht verwobenes blaubeeriges Bouquet, betörendes Veilchenparfüm, ein Hauch Lakritze, Himbeermark und Heidelbeergelee. Am durchtrainierten, energiegeladenen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, edlem mineralischen Kern und salzigem Extrakt. Im konzentrierten Finale eine volle Ladung blauer Beeren, getrocknete Fliederblüten und dunkler Graphit. Ein Langstreckenläufer aus St.-Émilion, den ich noch nie so gut Primeur verkosten durfte. Damit hat Aymeric de Gironde sein Meisterstück abgeliefert!* – 04/2023

JancisRobinson.com – 17,5/20pts – JL: *85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Fragrant and fine with red-fruit and liquorice notes. An impressive amount of juicy fruit on the palate, the tannins plentiful but silky and smooth. Builds on the palate providing a long, fresh, chalky finish. Elegant and harmonious.* - 04/2023

Vinous.com – (96-98) pts – AG: *The 2022 Troplong Mondot is one of the most elegant wines I have ever tasted here. Seamless and layered, the 2022 caresses the palate with layers of dark-fleshed fruit, spice, leather and mocha. The purity of the fruit is just remarkable. The typical Troplong stature is present, but the tannins are nearly imperceptible. Clean saline notes extend the long, precise finish. In 2022, the estate was quite selective and only bottled about 70% of the production as Grand Vin, as opposed to the more typical 90% or so.* - 04/2023

Vinous.com – (96-98) pts – NM: *The 2022 Troplong-Mondot was picked from 29 August when it was 31° Celsius, which according to estate director Aymeric de Gironde, felt cool compared to the rest of summer. The alcohol is 14.9% with the pH of 3.48. It sees no SO2 until it is transferred into barrel. The nose is very attractive and certainly very expressive of its limestone terroir: blackberry, briary, crushed iris petal and light marine scents. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy black fruit, quite chalky in texture, that acidic spine governing its overall mouthfeel. Sapid on the finish, this Troplong Mondot builds in the mouth and coats it on the finish. De Gironde and I discussed my previous scores. I always said that he would get better and better during his tenure and this is clearly the case in 2022, the best Troplong Mondot...so far.* - 04/2023

Thewinecellarinsider.com – (97-99) pts – JL: *Deeply colored, the wine is rich, deep, full-bodied, concentrated, and intense The depth of flavor, the fullness on the palate, and the silky, lush, creamy textures come across as gentle, vibrant, and elegant, with a lot of depth and width. The lingering finish displays sweet, red, and black fruits, a salted, orange citrus tone, and a beautiful chalky character on the backend. The wine blends 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Cabernet Franc. 14.9% ABV, 3.48 pH. Harvesting started August 29 - September 26. Drink from 2027-2060.* - 05/2023