Community Tasting Note

Wednesday, July 14, 2021 - 2021 Bordeaux Tasting Trip; 7/12/2021-7/16/2021 (Bordeaux): A tasting in Bordeaux of 71 wines, some of the best I have ever had and others, umm, well were disappointing. If you read the Tasting story (and my grading history) I think it will do a much better job putting this in perspective.

Tasting at the brand new gorgeous Chateau that will begin the wine making process for the 2021 vintage. Troplong is/has been a true standout for me on the right bank delivering a richness and complexity that perfectly fits the terrior and winemaking style.

Two call outs, beginning in 2018, they hired a new wine consultant (same as Canon) to change the wine style and have recently invested heavily in the property in hopes (IMO) in being elevated in this year’s (decision due in 2022) classification. More on my opinion on the 2018 and/or tasting story.

Wines tasted at the Chateau
2006 Troplong Mondot
2011 Troplong Mondot
2018 Troplong Mondot
2017 Mondot

Ok so this may be controversial but… I don’t care. I love Troplong Mondot anyone can look back at my notes on the early drinking of the 2015. The style perfectly matches the terrior and whether or not the style matches your palate preference, you can see how it has appeal for those that do. Well, the stylistic change IMO for this vintage in particular is an abrupt 180 and at this stage I am unable to grasp why it wasn’t a more gradual change by working within the terrior and what the vintage presented vs what may be a hasty change for the sake of change which is what this feels like to me at this point in time. It doesn’t mean with nap time it won’t become the wine they want it to become it’s simply not what I would have expected or preferred for this vintage.

Now I didn’t have it decanter for hours nor did I taste the ‘19 or ‘20 so color me a skeptic for now but hopeful the abrupt Parker 180 doesn’t jeopardize what this chateau can produce within their terrior. Only time will tell. Based on this tasting hold for 10 years from vintage date and try again.

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5 comments have been posted

Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:

7/26/2021 6:21:00 AM - Very interesting. Thanks for posting your honest opinion.
Comment posted by T.E.D.:

3/26/2022 1:32:00 PM - I appreciate the detail here I was underwhelmed with this vintage compared to others on CT.
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:

3/26/2022 1:36:00 PM - I just picked up a few of these. Ted, what was your approach and was it recent?
Comment posted by T.E.D.:

3/29/2022 1:36:00 AM - Yes, it was recent, I just posted a note. Conclusion - I was disappointed here. Stylistically just not what I look for from BDX.
Comment posted by LiteItOnFire:

3/29/2022 7:37:00 AM - While TED and I seem to have different palate preferences, I loved the 2015 Troplong and previous vintages as they tended to be more modern than other more classic styles (I enjoy both styles for different reasons) however the 2018 in its initial period of life is a bit out of sorts and remains to be seen of its development as the winemaker changed hands and styles beginning in ‘18.