Château Troplong Mondot, 1er Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion,

The natural density and power of Troplong is a huge benefit in 2021. Love the coiled power and the precision that is on display, damson and blueberry fruit, salted cracker, density thorugh the mid palate, liqourice root and fennel signoff. A full of month of harvest, and the first time with the new cellar. One of the few that may just need a 8 to 10 before really coming into its stride.

A blend of 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Troplong Mondot is deep garnet-purple colored. Energetic notes of baked plums, wild strawberries, and black raspberries jump from the glass, followed by hints of tar, licorice, black olives, and truffles. Medium-bodied, the palate is plush and energetic, with a lively line and long minerally finish.

The 2021 Troplong Mondot was bottled in July 2022 after the wines were pulled out of barrel in February as it was felt the wine had received sufficient oak ageing. I tasted two samples, one decanted earlier and one freshly poured. The latter showed more fruité: black cherries, violet, touches of pencil shavings and dried roses, building in intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins, fresh, vibrant and spicy, with an insistent grip and dashes of black pepper and chalk toward the finish. Quite a vertical Troplong Mondot with an almost briny aftertaste, this deserves four or five years in bottle.