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.

If you want an example of how good Merlot should taste like, take this wine home. Right from the first whiff, classic, beautiful characteristics of the under-rated varietal. Red plums, clay, gravel, and lead pencil. Lots of earth on the palate, with a touch of dried minty herbs on the long finish.