Château Troplong Mondot 1996

Deep garnet with ruby and violet highlights. A wild, port-like bouquet—stunning in its intensity and aromatic richness. On the palate, a mouthful of Merlot: lots of juiciness, a beautiful interplay of red and blue berries, Dominican tobacco, and a gently dry, tannin-led finish.

Plenty of crushed berry and spice on the nose. Full-bodied, with full, slightly drying tannins, but good berry and chocolate flavors on the finish. Perhaps slightly overwooded. Best after 2001.

97: Barrel sample (18/20): Wild, concentrated bouquet; with its amarena touch, it recalls a very great Barbera. Full, concentrated on the palate, lots of bourbon (whisky), vanilla pods, ripe berry notes. But the palate is dominated by tannin, tannin and more tannin. A captivating, powerhouse Troplong, so massive that it would have to be penalised because the astringency is currently very dominant. Tasted three times so far. Because it shows these hard, dominant tannins, I now rate it at 17/20. If it manages to round out these tannins, it will become one of the best 1996s from St. Emilion — around 2005. 99: Deep purple. Sweet, lavish amarena bouquet, with a coconut note (Bounty) behind. Very full-bodied on the palate, lots of concentration, red-berry character, almost a certain Barbera affinity; the tannins still seem a bit hard and angular for a St. Emilion, but they show impressive potential. 17/20 2003–2010

A fruity, deep, closed bouquet with blackcurrant and toasted aromas. Dense, closed, powerful palate with plenty of tannins and good fruit. Very long, fruity finish. 18/20 2008 - 2020

Logo on the cork: L Dark colour, slightly evolved. Fruity nose with caramel notes. Smooth on the palate, with fruit flavours and rounded tannins. The finish is a touch firm, but tasty.