Château Troplong Mondot 2024

Dense ruby; profound, noble, complex, black cherries, blueberries, cassis and elderberry, with lilac and violet on top, plus peppery notes; on the palate, creamy on entry, silky texture, builds tremendous power while remaining elegant, tannins chiseled from stone, incredibly precise, mineral, enormous tension, an almost never-ending finish. A blockbuster this year at Troplong-Mondot.

Super fragrant on the nose, ripe blackcurrant, some dried herbs, so much florality and perfumed fruit. Amazing aromatics, so complex. Rosehip, wild strawberries, red cherries, violets, milk chocolate and salty stones. Succulent and so supple, a juicy core with touches of sweetness and density. I also love the minerality that you get on the mid palate after a burst of bright red fruit. Almost plump then smoothes out with a long-lasting flavour. Ends with a moreish salivating aspect of mint, liquorice and wet stones. Tannins are so polished. This has excellent intensity. They achieved full ripeness with natural density but a finessed touch too. A delicious wine that puts a smile on your face but still multifaceted. Ageing 26% foudre, 55% new oak, the rest one year old barrels.

One of the darker hues of the vintage, you initially find licorice, chocolate, roses, sea salt, plums, and black raspberries. The palate continues with that theme, delivering vibrant, refined red fruits, elegant tannins, and sweet, bright, elegant red plums, with chalky tones that persist through to the finish. The wine blends 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Cabernet Franc. 13.5% ABV, 3.38 pH. Harvesting started September 20 - October 14. Drink from 2029-2045. 94-96 pts

A dark, deep bouquet revealing aromas of black fruit coulis (blackcurrant, Loganberry), indulgent and sweet as if rising from a hot saucepan, along with a hint of chocolate. On the palate, a sumptuous, silky, agile texture. The acidity murmurs rather than asserts itself, bringing a subtle freshness that makes the ripe, shimmering fruit vibrate. Everything caresses the palate before stretching into a delectable, clean finish, marked by refined, chalky elegance.

This has the Troplong terroir and intensity visually, immediately clear, with violets, squid ink, slate, roses, liquorice root. Love the chalky oyster shell salinity on the finish, delivers exceptional balance and lift, with interesting texture that is grippy with pumice stone tannins. No chaptilisation, because this is a location with natural density and you really see it here. Brilliantly silky, this has depth and yet is savoury, touch of whole cluster winemaking. 55% new oak, with 19% oak casks and the rest one year old.