CHÂTEAU TROPLONG MONDOT

Muscular and oak-driven, this is packed with vanilla bean, bitter black chocolate, spice box and grilled cedar, along with raspberry and blackberry fruits, and some fresher rose stem and wild peony notes that add grace to the power and punch of the architecture. It's impressive, confident, but lacks nuance for now - give it another five years. 31hl/h yield, 100% new oak, Michel Rolland consultant, overseeing an estate that had been Premier Grand Cru Classé since 2006. Rating: 91 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (Mar 2022)

The Grand Vin is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc picked between 9th and 23rd October. It has a very intense bouquet with lifted aromas of macerated dark cherries, blueberry jam and confit aromas. The palate is full-bodied with sumptuous black fruit, dense tannins but in my opinion, better balance than the 2010 and 2011. The alcohol is lower here, hovering around the high 13 percent mark, which render a better Troplong, whilst the citric edge keep everything focused. This is a very fine Saint Emilion. Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2013)

One of the superstars of the vintage, it boasts an inky/purple color as well as abundant notes of blueberry liqueur, graphite, truffles, acacia flowers and subtle toast. Full-bodied, opulent and already easy to drink, this large-scaled wine possesses high levels of tannin, but they are relatively well-concealed by the extravagant fruit, glycerin, texture and density of this compelling Troplong Mondot. This impressive wine may shut down after bottling and require 4-5 years of cellaring. It has the potential to last at least 15-20 years. Bravo! From a 63-acre vineyard on the high plateau (called the Plateau of Mondot) adjacent to the famous limestone hillside, the Cote Pavie, the 2012 Troplong Mondot is another fabulous success. Cropped at 31 hectoliters per hectare with malolactic in barrel, this blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon hit 14.2% natural alcohol. Three-fourths of the production went into the grand vin. 2017 - 2037 Rating: 94-96 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Apr 2013)