At a glance

Producer

Château Troplong Mondot

Region

Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Predominantly Merlot, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$120 - $180 USD per bottle (en primeur/retail allocation, depending on region and merchant)

Tasting profile

Intense black fruits (black cherry, plum), crushed violets, espresso, graphite, subtle oak, dense texture; oak and tannin currently mask aromatic complexity.

Evolution: Fruit core will soften, with emergence of truffle, forest floor, cigar box, and savory notes over 10+ years.

At peak: At maturity (15-25 years), expect silky tannins, seamless integration of fruit and tertiary notes, remarkable persistence and depth.

Structure

Acidity

Balanced, with refreshing lift typical of the château

Tannins

Firm, prominent, ripe—requires cellaring to soften

Alcohol

14-14.5% ABV (typical recent vintages)

Aging potential

Very high; among longest-lived Right Bank wines

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2031 to 2039

Optimal window

2027 to 2042

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Highly structured, primary fruit, significant tannins; will evolve with age

Troplong Mondot’s elevated site and dense Merlot/Cabernet blend ensure robust structure and concentration. 2022 Bordeaux vintage is notable for ripeness and density, suggesting a long-lived, cellar-worthy wine. Typically enters its peak window after 10-15 years, holding at a high level for decades.

Food pairing

Roast lamb, filet mignon, wild mushroom tarts, aged hard cheeses—dishes offering fat and umami to complement robust structure.

Serving

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — The wine has firm, prominent tannins that require time to soften, making decanting beneficial to enhance its aromas and flavors.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 8/10

Cover cropping, reduction of chemical products, biodiversity corridors, manual harvest, solar panel installation, rainwater collection, reduction of packaging weight/footprint.

Château Troplong Mondot has made significant sustainability advances, holding HVE Level 3 (top French environmental standard) with organic conversion underway. Focuses on biodiversity, integrated pest management, reduced inputs, and eco-efficient winery operations. Carbon footprint is well-managed on-site, but export markets (especially airfreight) remain the main environmental limitation. Still not certified organic as of the 2022 vintage, but a leader among Bordeaux classified growths for sustainability.