Château Troplong Mondot 2006

It could be easy, after tasting the monumental 2005, to dismiss the 2006 Troplong Mondot, but don’t be so foolish. Proprietress Christine Valette has turned out another exceptional performance. Of course, this is not the 2005—a singular vintage that will be difficult to duplicate in a 20–30 year span—but the 2006 Troplong Mondot is an impressive, powerful, broad, surprisingly masculine and deep effort. Its inky/blue/purple color is accompanied by an exceptional bouquet of powdered rock, blackberries, blueberries, spring flowers, and hints of camphor as well as espresso roast. The wine is full-bodied with a layered, multidimensional texture, sensational purity and structure, and elevated levels of tannin, concentration, and richness. Forget it for 7–8 years, and drink it over the following 20–25 years.

Coffee, cedar, blackberry and tobacco aromas follow through to a tight, powerful palate. This is full yet very reserved, with silky, polished tannins. Best after 2014. 5,330 cases made.

The 2006 Troplong Mondot is a thoroughly pleasant wine, although it is starting to show its age. There is a moderate intensity of plum and fig fruit on the nose, with the beginning of earthy notes and a hint of savoury leather. The tannins now are softly burnished, and the notes of chocolate and cocoa divulge the right-bank origins of the wine. It feels mature on the palate, and while it should hold at this level for some time, there is little to be gained from ageing the wine for the long term.

Showing maturity in the color, the wine offers secondary aromatics of truffle, black cherry, smoke and licorice with just a hint of cocoa in the endnote. Full bodied, concentrated, round and starting to open, you can drink this now, or age it for several more years. This is one of the few 2006 Bordeaux wines that does not display the strict tannins found so often in this vintage.

Red wine with a fairly dense core, still almost impenetrable, with a ruby nuance toward the rim and rather high viscosity; the ripeness level seems high. Quite a complex nose here, with some evolution; fine hints of roasted wood and coffee intermingling with plenty of dark ripe fruit, a touch of tobacco, leather, and a fine spiciness. Very dense palate, high concentration, high extraction. I’d say this feels like a wine that has just come around, because the tannins now seem polished, well integrated, giving a very bold, plush texture, with layers of dark fruit like cassis and blackberry; a certain complexity clearly coming from a few years of aging, with fine spice-box and tobacco notes. So, very good grip, dense, opulent, layered fruit, very long finish; it really lingers on the palate for quite a while. I think those slight hints of oak picked up on the nose—the toasted, roasted notes—aren’t really noticeable on the palate; it’s more the expression of that lush fruitiness now. Still with some tannic presence but, as I said, they’ve come around—well polished and integrated—contributing to this very long finish. Very good.

A number of 2006 Bordeaux are showing well today, and that is certainly the case with the 2006 Troplong Mondot. Taking about an hour of air to show at its best, its ruby/plum hue gives way to a classic Saint-Emilion offering ample red and black currant fruits, tobacco leaf, bouquet garni, chocolate, and loads of chalky minerality. Rich, full-bodied, and beautifully textured, this powerful 2006 has surprising structure yet more than enough fruit. Mature, but certainly on the early slopes of its drinking plateau, it’s going to evolve gracefully for another two decades or more.

Deep, very dark purple with violet highlights. Powerful cherry bouquet, mulberries, coconut Bounty, cassis, intoxicatingly sweet. On the palate, again sweet and sexy, plenty of richness surrounding the nonetheless massive tannins; at the core, Amarena cherries and dark chocolate. A colossal show of power that, beyond its potential, still has to digest dramatic tannins ending on a green note. Potential higher than actual class.

07: Barrel sample. Deep, very dark purple with violet highlights. Powerful cherry bouquet, mulberries, coconut Bounty, cassis, intoxicatingly sweet. On the palate, again sweet, sexy, lots of flesh around the still massive tannins; at the core, Amarena cherries and dark chocolate. A tremendous feat of power that still needs to digest those dramatically green-finishing tannins to reach its full potential. The potential is significantly higher than the wine’s current class. (17/20). 16: Deep purple-garnet. Open, warmly fragrant bouquet, fresh plums, subtly floral (which lends freshness), present and straightforward on the attack. On the second pass, a hint of light fine woods. On the palate, it comes across a bit inconsistent; the sinew is there, but perhaps not quite enough flesh. The astringency is still young, so more can be expected here, as the wine has not yet reached its first drinking maturity. Decant.

Full, alcoholic, sweet bouquet with cocoa powder, black berries, dried fruits. Fruity, dry, firm, spirituous palate with sandy tannins. Dry finish with dried fruits. 17/20 2014 - 2022

Broad-shouldered, well constructed, powerful concentration of blackberry pastilles and liquorice root. There is a purity to the fruit expression on the attack, followed quickly by a mid-palate shot of melted bitter dark chocolate, tar, and tannins that coat your tongue. Come back to this in another decade. Promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé in this year's 2006 ranking. 100% new oak, Michel Rolland consultant.

The 2006 Troplong Mondot has a deep garnet color, with a touch of brick. It gives up forthcoming notes of baked plums, stewed cherries, and dried mulberries, with an undercurrent of menthol, crushed rocks, and new leather, plus a hint of iron ore. The medium-bodied palate has a solid structure of firm, chewy tannins and bags of freshness supporting the fragrant fruit, finishing long and earthy.

Smooth and intense, distinguished great volume, clean fruit, straightforward, intense and seductive.

Dense, compact and tannic, the wine has not yet emerged from its tannic tunnel, but its substance is exceptional and it will make a great bottle.

Mineral and fruity character with aromas of black berries and licorice. The 2006 stands out for the finesse of its palate. It benefits from the interplay between tannins and acidity, creating a precious harmony. A wine with character that still has a fine reserve ahead.

Dark, intense color. Moderately aromatic nose, fruity, creamy, but also strange. Fruity, easy-flowing palate, rather bland in its expression. Simple finish. I don’t find the Troplong Mondot style here.

A wine that succeeds in combining great depth of flavor and structure with an impressive array of flavors. On top of the tannins is juicy black fruit, cocoa, a welter of spice and ripeness. The acidity and new wood put the wine into a more modern style. Wait for at least 5–7 years.