Chateau Troplong Mondot 2022

Aromas of raspberries, a subtle hint of mint, rose petals and a subtle hint of crushed vitamin pills introduce the 2022 Mondot, a full-bodied, ample and layered wine that's pure, succulent and suave, with sweet tannins, juicy acids and a long, expansive finish. As readers may remember, the 2022 is a somewhat different beast from previous renditions, as it now incorporates some newly acquired holdings, spanning a wider variety of expositions and altitudes, and includes Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon in addition to Merlot.

the 2022 Château Troplong Mondot on two separate occasions, and it never failed to impress. A blend of 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Cabernet Franc, it was raised in 55% new oak, with the balance in once-used barrels and foudre. It's an incredibly pure, precise, seamless Saint-Emilion that has vibrant black raspberry and darker cherry fruits as well as hints of graphite, spring flowers, and damp earth. This medium to full-bodied, layered, nicely concentrated 2022 has polished tannins, a lively spine of acidity, and flawless overall balance.

Hyper precision from the crushed-stone minerality here, with berries, spiced dark cherries, hibiscus and fresh plums. Extremely polished yet vivid, with fibrous, chalky tannins emitting vibrations before dissolving into a lengthy finish drenched with fruit. Concentrated but effortless.

Lifted aromas, intense and inviting, blueberries, violets and iris floral notes. Sharp and buzzy, tangy and instantly so bright, this has an electricity to it, but not sour and not too razor like, with the salty stone elements coming through straight away contrasting the concentrated fruit and giving the tannins a cool fresh edge. Precise, clean and crisp but with juiciness and succulence and liquorice and graphite minerality on the finish, not spiced, but fresh and salty. Fun, confident, shiny, and totally drinkable.

A sappy red, with kirsch and cassis notes tossed in with red licorice and apple wood. A flash of sweet tobacco pierces the juicy, slightly compact finish. Should unwind nicely in the cellar, as there's a bold mix of buried minerality and latent energy. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.