2001 $51.99
1989 $139.99 very limited
?The 1989 Troplong-Mondot is an extraordinary wine. It is slightly less evolved than the 1990, with more muscle and tannin, but equally rich and compelling. The color is an opaque dark ruby/purple, and the wine offers up aromas of licorice, prunes, black cherries, and sweet cassis fruit intermingled with high quality toasty new oak and smoke. This is a full-bodied, rich, layered, concentrated wine that should evolve more slowly than the 1990. It is a spectacular achievement in this vintage! Anticipated maturity: 2003-2025.? 96 Robert Parker, Bordeaux
"Seductive. Gorgeously perfumed, loads of raspberry and floral aromas. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a delicious blackberry and dark chocolate aftertaste.--1989 Bordeaux horizontal. Best after 2005." 93 The Wine Spectator 5/31/99
1995 $94.99 very limited
?Closed but immensely promising, this dark purple-colored wine exhibits a reticent but intriguing nose of underbrush, jammy black fruits, minerals, and vanillin. Deep, rich, and medium to full-bodied, with outstanding extract and purity, the wine possesses a seamless personality with sweeter, more integrated tannin than in the 1996. This is a vin de garde to cellar for another 7-8 years. It is not far off the splendid level of quality achieved in both 1989 and 1990. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2020. I am a huge fan of this property run by Christine Valette, and have been an avid purchaser of many of her wines, particularly the 1988, 1989, and 1990. I tasted all three of these vintages in a mini-vertical in January, 1998, and they were sensationally good.? 92 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #115
"Very good saturated ruby-red. Very ripe aromas of black cherry, chocolate and licorice; more crystallized than cooked fruit-as the heat in '95 was not quite like that of 1990, according to Valette. Velvety and chocolatey in the mouth, with very sweet, port-like flavors verging on raisiny. Has the chewy extract to buffer its 13.9% alcohol. Quite perfumed in the mouth, though still a bit tired by the bottling. A huge wine that finishes with substantial but harmonious tannins." 91 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 5/6-98
1996 $74.99 limited
?I am pleased with the way this wine has turned out. The ferocious tannin has been slightly tamed now that the wine is in bottle. Still a backward style of Troplong-Mondot, it will require 6-7 years of cellaring. The wine exhibits a deep ruby/purple color, and a powerful nose of licorice, black currants, and spicy new oak. There is sweet fruit on the attack and medium body, but the firm tannin gives the wine grip and delineation, as well as a certain austerity. This wine does possess the requisite depth to support its tannic clout, but patience is required. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2019.? Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #122
"Good full red-ruby color. Redcurrant, raspberry, plum, tobacco, spice and mint on the nose. Sweet on entry, then firm and nicely delineated thanks to lively acids. Finishes with firm tannins and sneaky length. More Medoc in style than usual for this chateau; more marked by the cabernet-but this is still about 75% merlot." Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 5/6-99
1997 $67.99 limited
"This gorgeously elegant, concentrated wine exhibits a dark ruby/purple color, and a beautifully knit, blackberry and cherry-scented nose with toasty oak in the background. Not a massive effort, it offers beautifully supple fruit flavors, an attractive fragrance, a ripe, sweet mid-palate, and soft tannin. Drink this seductive, lush Troplong-Mondot over the next decade.? Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #128
"Very expressive redcurrant, tobacco and mint aromas. Smooth and stylish in the mouth, with enticing texture and ripe flavors of red fruits and chocolate complicated by notes of fresh herbs and tobacco. Elegantly styled. Finishes with lush, dusty tannins and very good length." 88-90 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 5/6-99
1998 $76.99 available
?A fabulous effort, this sleeper of the vintage may turn out to be the finest Troplong-Mondot since the 1990. The black/purple-colored 1998 exhibits floral, blueberry, blackberry, licorice, vanillin, and truffle-like aromas (or is it charcoal/graphite?). Dense, full-bodied, and pure, yet extremely fresh and elegant, this beautifully focused wine needs 3-5 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2025.? 93 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #134
"Intense aromas of ripe berries, tobacco and toasted oak with mineral. Full-bodied, with well-integrated, superfine tannins and a long, long finish. Extremely sexy, yet elegant. Best after 2008." 93 The Wine Spectator 1/31/01