Bordeaux’s Chateau Troplong-Mondot is a large wine estate on the Right Bank of the Gironde River overlooking the village of Saint Emilion. Its 33-hectare vineyard is planted traditionally with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The chateau dates back to 1745 and Troplong-Mondot was originally part of one sizeable domaine which included the vineyards of Chateau Pavie. The current estate was established in 1850 when Raymond-Theodore Troplong acquired Mondot, expanded the vineyard, and promoted its reputation. Following a trend of that period, his heir Edouard Troplong later added Mondot to his name and Troplong-Mondot was born.

The property passed into the hands of the Valette family at the beginning of the 20th century, with Christine Valette taking up management of the property in 1980. Since then, things quickly changed for the better. The quality of the wines improved and Chateau Troplong-Mondot became known as one of the top wines of the Right Bank.

Christine Valette has since passed away and today, the estate is managed by Xavier Pariente who has been involved with the estate since 2002. In 2006, it was awarded the Premier Grand Cru Classe B in the Saint Emilion classification.

Chateau Troplong-Mondot is grown on extensive vineyards rich in limestone and clay soils. Powerful and well-structured with pronounced complex tannins, its deep aromas of truffles and blackberries develop over time.

The grapes are hand-harvested, totally destemmed, and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, moving to oak barrels for secondary malolactic fermentation. The wine is matured in oak barrels (75% new oak and 25% one-year old) for 12 to 24 months depending on the vintage. The average production of the grand vin is between 60,000 to 90,000 bottles.

The 2017 Troplong-Mondot is a Bordeaux Blend from the renowned Saint Emilion region in Bordeaux, France. This wine exudes elegance and finesse, showcasing the true character of the vintage. With a deep garnet-purple color, it immediately captures the eye with its rich and inviting hue.

On the nose, the wine reveals a captivating bouquet of licorice, smoke, black cherry, plum, and crushed rocks. These aromas intertwine harmoniously, creating a complex and enticing olfactory experience. As the wine opens up, additional notes of warm blackberries, wild blueberries, smoked meats, black olives, pencil shavings, and truffles emerge, adding layers of depth and intrigue.

Full-bodied and sweetly authentic on the palate, this wine delivers a luxurious and velvety texture that caresses the senses. The mouth-coating black fruits explode with flavor, accompanied by earthy sparks that add complexity and interest. The ripe, rounded tannins contribute to the wine's soft and smooth structure, while the spectacular freshness provides a vibrant and lively finish.

Renowned wine critics have praised the 2017 Troplong-Mondot for its exceptional qualities. Jeff Leve awarded it a score of 95, noting its virtue in the fruit and its luxurious texture. James Suckling rated it 96 points, describing it as perfumed and subtle, with compressed, round tannins and a flavorful finish. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it 95 points, highlighting its expanding notions of blackberries, blueberries, and licorice, as well as its soft, velvety texture.

This wine is structured and dense, with impressive ripe black fruit flavors and lifted acidity. It possesses the potential for aging, with a suggested drinking window starting from 2025. The 2017 Troplong-Mondot is a true gem from a lighter-styled vintage, demonstrating the estate's commitment to quality and showcasing stunning depths and nuance. It is a wine that demands patience and will reward those who cellar it for years to come.