Château Troplong Mondot St Emilion Grand Cru Grand Cru Classé 2004

Oak dominant, toasted cedar on the opening beats, but it clears and there is charming dark berry fruit behind. Enjoyable texture, structure, architecture, shot through with undergrowth, earth, cigar box, smoke and liquorice. Hard not to be impressed by the power that runs through this, with muscular tannins that benefit from the fresh mint leaf and eucalyptus that comes in to balance things out on the finish. This vintage had the biggest yields for years at Troplong, which almost certainly helped give this some light through the concentration. 100% new oak, Michel Rolland consultant.