2015 Chateau Troplong Mondot, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bottle (750ml)

JD99 "A wine I was able to taste on multiple occasions, the 2015 Troplong Mondot is a tour de force that readers need to snatch up. This cuvee comes from the cool, clay and limestone soils on the upper plateau (it’s the highest point in the appellation) and is a blend of 92% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc, harvest between September 30th and October 21st, that was brought up in 85% new French oak. Sporting a deep, inky color as well as a sensational bouquet of creme de cassis, blackberry, toasted spice, licorice and spring flowers, it’s another huge wine from this estate that has perfect balance between its fruit, oak and tannin, a stacked mid-palate, and an incredible finish. I wrote "crazy good" more than once in my notes. It has enough fruit and texture to drink nicely even today, yet needs 4-5 years of cellaring and will keep for two to three decades. It's one of the great wines of the vintage. There are big changes in store for Troplong Mondot, which was sold in 2017 by Xavier Pariente to the large Insurance firm, SCOR. Aymeric de Gironde, formerly at Cos d’Estournel, has been brought in as the new director, and it will be interesting to see what and if any changes are implemented. I had a terrific visit with Xavier for this report, which was on his last day at the estate, and he was reflective and introspective about the sale, as well as tight-lipped about any future plans. Nevertheless, this is a gorgeous property, lying at heart of Saint-Emilion at the highest point of the plateau, and they’ve produced some of the wines of the vintage in both 2015 and 2016." JD Nov 2017

JS98 "Expressive, ripe dark plums swathed in aromas of mocha, toasted baking spices, graphite, blackberries and mulberries. The flavor-soaked palate arrives on suave, velvety tannins, delivering flavors of vibrant, concentrated dark plums, mulberries, dark chocolate and cocoa in a youthful, fresh style. Terrific wine with ultra-long finish. An essay in power and elegance. Essence-like." JS Jan 2018