A wine of the vintage candidate in 2008 Troplong Mondot's offering was produced from yields of 41 hectoliters per hectare and achieved 14.5% natural alcohol. A classic blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc it offers copious quantities of blue and black fruits a full-bodied opulence sweet tannin and a fabulous texture as well as finish. Already drinking beautifully it will be even better in 2-5 years and should last for 20 years. A great effort for the vintage it couldn't happen to a more deserving proprietor Christine Valette. Bravo!

The 2008 Troplong Mondot (from a bottle purchased locally) checks in as a classic blend of 90% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in plenty of new oak. This saturated ruby-colored effort offers the backward, almost austere style of the vintage front and center, yet still packs fabulous amounts of fruit and texture. Giving up notions of blackcurrants, tobacco, chocolate, graphite, and smoked herbs, this beauty takes plenty of air to unwind and is full-bodied, rich, and beautifully textured on the palate. It offers far more charm than most in the vintage and is a brilliant 2008 that can be enjoyed any time over the coming 15-20 years.

The wine shows plenty of tobacco and vanilla character with chocolate and berries. Full body, with super fine tannins. It’s so long and refined. It’s a divergence from the big, powerful style of the past. This is a beauty and needs at least three years of bottle age.

With some of its youthful oak still needing to better integrate, the wine is full-bodied, concentrated, lush, round and mouthfilling. On the palate, the round textured, hedonistic wine delivers layers of licorice, smoke, dark chocolate, plum and earthy essences, along with cherry liqueur. You can pull a cork now, or wait another 4-6 years for more development. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2008&wine=Chateau%20Troplong%20Mondot

Tasted ex-chateau and single blind in Southwold. I have criticized recent vintages over the alcohol levels, but I have no agenda against what is after all, one of the first properties I ever visited. And the 2008 is turning out to be a little beauty. It has a lovely floral bouquet with vibrant red fruit, cassis and violets that soar from the glass. It displays deftly integrated oak with Asian spices beginning to come through. The palate is full-bodied and tannic, very grippy with spice, black olive and blackberry. There is some fine, earthy Cabernet Franc here and shows good structure on the finish. It deserves a decade in the cellar.

Still a touch firm as the cocoa and roasted tobacco notes frame the core of plum fig and blackberry fruit. The smoky finish has a nice charcoal edge. This is well-defined and should unwind with modest cellaring. Powerful for the vintage. Best from 2012 through 2018. Tasted twice with consistent notes. -JM