Château Troplong Mondot St Emilion Grand Cru Premier Grand Cru Classé 2017

Even is a lighter-styled vintage like 2017, Troplong Mondot needs serious coaxing if you are looking at early drinking. This was an important vintage in the development of the estate, with the arrival of new owners and of director Aymeric de Gironde, and a move towards earlier harvests and less intensive extraction during fermentation. It’s still pretty young but already showcasing stunning depths and nuance, with iris and peony floral character given lift to the muscular cassis and damson fruit. 65% new oak for ageing, Thomas Duclos consultant. Tasted a few times this year, and in the end its quality has placed it among the wines of the year – but definitely remember to give it a good number of hours in the carafe before drinking.