Chateau Troplong Mondot 2014

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2014 Troplong Mondot is unquestionably one of the wines of the vintage, and this beauty has more intensity, richness, and exuberance than just about every other wine in 2014. A blend of 90% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc brought up in 85% new French oak, it sports a deep purple/plum color as well as a smorgasbord of blackcurrants, blackberries, scorched earth, toasty oak, graphite, espresso, and earth. With full-bodied richness, beautiful purity of fruit, and a rich, yet weightless texture, it’s a big, yet classy, elegant, and seamless wine from Xavier Pariente that should be snatched up by readers. It’s already drinking well but has 20-25 years of prime drinking to go."

JAMES SUCKLING: "The dark, savory, earthy and plum aromas plus the serious tannins here give this wine a lot of character, but it really needs a couple of years to open up. The finish packs a big tannic punch. For the long term. Try in 2024."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Deep in color, the wine is round, concentrated and loaded with dark chocolate covered cherries and plums, smoke, licorice and truffle. With depth of flavor, intensity and richness, this is a full bodied effort that will reward a decade in the cellar, before everything really comes together here."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2014 Troplong-Mondot performed to my expectation now that the wine is in bottle. It has a refined bouquet with black cherries, raspberry preserve and mineral scents that gain intensity in the glass, but never get carried away. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, tensile in the mouth but surprisingly linear and conservative, at least in the first half. It is fresh and precise, then delivers the weight and concentration as it fans out on the finish, a residue of white pepper tingling on the aftertaste. This is a delicious Troplong Mondot that should age with style and grace."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Solidly built, with some heft to the core of raspberry, blackberry and boysenberry confiture flavors. Delivers ample cut and drive thanks to the racy graphite beam. Hints of ganache and Turkish coffee add a bass line without taking away definition or purity. Best from 2022 through 2035. 5,583 cases made."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Barrel Sample. This wine is rich and concentrated, with great weight and personality—every element seems larger than life. The ripe plum flavors are forward and juicy. The finish has a subtle warmth of alcohol."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Tasted blind. Very dark blackish crimson. Hints of treacle but much fresher and more floral than that. Five years ago this would have been a standout. Now perhaps we are looking for even more but it’s still a good wine."