Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 01/01/2003
A very youthful wine that probably will never hit the heights of the 1990 (but how many wines do?), this dense ruby/purple-colored wine has a very pure nose of roasted espresso, black cherry jam, blackberry, mineral, and even a hint of blueberry. Some smoke and high-quality toasty new oak are there, but now that seems to be fading into the background. Quite full-bodied, powerful, and concentrated, yet at the same time elegant, this wine still seems very young and unevolved. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025. Last tasted, 11/02.

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: Now-2025. (96)

A very youthful wine that probably will never hit the heights of the 1990 (but how many wines do?), this dense ruby/purple-colored wine has a very pure nose of roasted espresso, black cherry jam, blackberry, mineral, and even a hint of blueberry. Some smoke and high-quality toasty new oak are there, but now that seems to be fading into the background. Quite full-bodied, powerful, and concentrated, yet at the same time elegant, this wine still seems very young and unevolved. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025. Last tasted, 11/02.

A hot vintage, and the spices here are a little more exotic than the 1988, clear turmeric and cumin on the first nose. Still full of intensity, a brilliant wine with impact and power, and one that would start conversations around a dinner table. A touch of earthy brett as it opens, but it is part of a myriad of flavours, textures, aromatics - far more evident on the nose than in the mouth, coming across as black truffle, earth and undergrowth. Thoroughly enjoyable. Claude Valette owner, with his daughter Christine manager and Jean-Pierre Taleyson cellar master. Michel Rolland consultant. This was also the year that a sorting table to installed in the cellar for the first time during harvest, with 50% new oak used for ageing.

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. JS

The 1989 Troplong-Mondot has an earthy, strawberry pastille and leather bouquet with hints of clove; attractive if just a little tired. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin and notes of red fruit, black tea, leather and tobacco, lightly spiced and gentle, but missing real body and grip toward the finish. Drink soon. Tasted from an ex-cellar magnum at the property.