The 2014 Troplong Mondot is unquestionably one of the wines of the vintage, and this beauty has more intensity, richness, and exuberance than just about every other wine in 2014. A blend of 90% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc brought up in 85% new French oak, it sports a deep purple/plum color as well as a smorgasbord of blackcurrants, blackberries, scorched earth, toasty oak, graphite, espresso, and earth. With full-bodied richness, beautiful purity of fruit, and a rich, yet weightless texture, it’s a big, yet classy, elegant, and seamless wine from Xavier Pariente that should be snatched up by readers. It’s already drinking well but has 20-25 years of prime drinking to go.

Deep in color, the wine is round, concentrated and loaded with dark chocolate covered cherries and plums, smoke, licorice and truffle. With depth of flavor, intensity and richness, this is a full bodied effort that will reward a decade in the cellar, before everything really comes together here. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2014&wine=Chateau%20Troplong%20Mondot

The 2014 Troplong Mondot is medium to deep garnet-brick in color. Scents of cedar and unsmoked cigars are followed by nuances of dried blackberries and plum pudding with a waft of spice cake. The medium-bodied palate is chock full of mature black fruit and spicy layers, support by firm, lightly chewy tannins and great tension, finishing with impressive length.

The 2014 Troplong-Mondot performed to my expectation now that the wine is in bottle. It has a refined bouquet with black cherries, raspberry preserve and mineral scents that gain intensity in the glass, but never get carried away. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, tensile in the mouth but surprisingly linear and conservative, at least in the first half. It is fresh and precise, then delivers the weight and concentration as it fans out on the finish, a residue of white pepper tingling on the aftertaste. This is a delicious Troplong Mondot that should age with style and grace.- Neal Martin

(92-94 points) 92–94. Barrel Sample. This wine is rich and concentrated, with great weight and personality—every element seems larger than life. The ripe plum flavors are forward and juicy. The finish has a subtle warmth of alcohol. — Roger Voss

Solidly built, with some heft to the core of raspberry, blackberry and boysenberry confiture flavors. Delivers ample cut and drive thanks to the racy graphite beam. Hints of ganache and Turkish coffee add a bass line without taking away definition or purity. Best from 2022 through 2035. 5,583 cases made.

The 2014 Troplong Mondot has a lifted bouquet with black cherries, raspberry and subtle cedar notes, which seem to be less evolved than many of its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins, impressive density and thankfully sufficient freshness to counterbalance the high alcohol. Yes, there is a soupçon of headiness here, and though it is not my preferred style, it retains balance and delineation against expectations. One of the best vintages prior to the entry of Aymeric de Gironde and his team. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting. - Neal Martin