2020 Troplong Mondot "Mondot", St-Emilion

All Merlot from limestone soils, brought up in a mix of once-used barrels and tank, the 2020 Château Troplong Mondot Mondot sports a dense ruby hue as well as a gorgeous bouquet of pure black cherries, smoked tobacco, chalky earth and hints of tobacco. This beauty is medium to full-bodied, has an elegant, seamless mouthfeel, and a great finish.

The 2020 vintage marks a remarkable achievement at Troplong Mondot, the culmination of a decade spent refining the estate’s style and mastering some of the Right Bank’s most extraordinary terroir. Gone are the days of heady, hedonistic wines; in their place now stand transparent, elegant, and focused expressions that rank among the region’s finest. The 2020 Troplong Mondot is a perfect 100-point wine from one of the great growing seasons, yet it remains relatively accessible compared with its cult-caliber peers. One of the estate’s secret strengths lies in the progress of its second wine, Mondot. Bringing the same laser focus, freshness, minerality, and luminous fruit, the 2020 Mondot offers character and depth reminiscent of the Grand Vin—yet at a strikingly reasonable price. It evolves beautifully in the glass, with each sip surpassing the last, delivering terrific texture and a long, mouthwatering finish marked by a savory note. For those wishing to experience the renaissance at this historic property, there is no better introduction than the 2020 Mondot.