Château Troplong Mondot 1986

Starting to become a bit more attenuated on the finish, but still very pleasingly perfumed, with notes of dusty earth, herbs, black cherries, tobacco, and licorice, this medium-bodied wine is behaving more like a Medoc than a typical St.-Emilion. Anticipated maturity: Now-2005. Last tasted, 11/02.

Minty, herbal style, but there's plenty of ripe currant flavor on the lean frame to finish strong and suggest good development ahead with cellaring until at least 1994.

Showing plenty of intensity on the nose and palate, there’s concentration here with some fleshy notes and a fine combination of brisk acidity and dark fruit. Meaty notes and some graphite on the finish. Still full of life. (AWH)

After that rather aromatic ’87, the ’86 is in the same vein. It smells of mint and anise, like a white wine. That shows just how much aroma this cru has! The palate lacks breadth, but on the other hand, it doesn’t dry out. It’s good and hard to spit. Normal length. This slightly worn style of wine is often much appreciated by English merchants.