
**2005 Troplong-Mondot [Bordeaux Blend] 750**
The 2005 Troplong-Mondot is a Bordeaux blend from the Saint Emilion sub-region in Bordeaux, France. This red wine, produced by Troplong-Mondot, is sealed with a cork and has an alcohol content of 14.5%.
This vintage has garnered high praise from professional reviewers. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it a perfect score of 100, noting it as "a great effort and a superstar of the vintage." The blend consists of 90% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc. Parker describes it as "dense purple" with an array of complex flavors including white chocolate, blackberry, cassis, licorice, truffle, and subtle oak. He acknowledged its "full-bodied, multi-layered, and spectacularly pure and rich" character and suggested it needs another 4-8 years of bottle aging, with a potential lifespan of 20 or more years.
Wine Spectator also gave it high marks with a score of 96. Their review highlights the wine's aromatic complexity, noting "aromas of coffee, ripe fruit, wild mushroom, and blackberry." The palate is described as "full-bodied and chewy yet velvety and beautiful," with intense flavors of "blackberry, chocolate, and tobacco." The review concludes by emphasizing its length and layered nature, recommending it be enjoyed after 2016.
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com concurs with a 96-point rating. He describes the wine as "close to its peak drinking window" and praises its concentrated and lush profile. Key flavor notes include "wet earth, smoke, licorice, dark chocolate, figs, and black cherries," culminating in an "opulent blast of dark cherries, espresso, smoke, blueberry, and plum liqueur."
Jane Anson offered a score of 97, detailing a tasting of both double-decanted and freshly opened versions. She observed that the wine still retains a vibrant ruby-red color with hints of dawn-rose at the edges. Her review features an array of spices such as "fennel, rosemary, sage, white pepper, white truffle, grilled sandalwood, and cedar," but cautions that the oak "slightly overpowers things" and suggests more aging or double decanting for optimal enjoyment.
In summary, the 2005 Troplong-Mondot is a highly acclaimed Bordeaux blend, lauded for its complexity, richness, and longevity. With excellent reviews across the board, it promises a rewarding experience for those patient enough to let it age further.