Robert Parker''s Wine Advocate 29/06/2010 Extremely young with an unbelievable deep purple color, the 2000 Troplong Mondot has hardly budged since I tasted it in 2003. Two recent tastings confirmed that this is the greatest Troplong Mondot between their profound 1990 and more recent vintages such as 2005, 2008, and 2009. Copious chocolate, graphite, blackberry, blueberry, cassis, and ink characteristics are present in this full-bodied, powerful, massive St.-Emilion. While the tannins are noticeable, they are better integrated than they were seven years ago, and the fruit, extract, and richness clearly outweigh the wine’s structure. This 2000 will benefit from another 4-5 years of cellaring (longer than I originally predicted), and has at least two decades of drinkability ahead of it. Combining remarkable elegance allied to considerable power and depth, this is the finest wine from Troplong Mondot since the staggeringly great 1990. Its saturated purple color is followed by aromas of ink, creme de cassis, graphite, and toasty oak. Full-bodied and powerful, with excellent balance, this is a wine of extraordinary richness and massiveness yet surreal freshness as well as vibrancy. The finish lasts for over 45 seconds and nearly conceals some hefty tannins. With fabulous definition, richness, and intensity, this is a compelling 2000. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2026. (95)

Extremely young with an unbelievable deep purple color, the 2000 Troplong Mondot has hardly budged since I tasted it in 2003. Two recent tastings confirmed that this is the greatest Troplong Mondot between their profound 1990 and more recent vintages such as 2005, 2008, and 2009. Copious chocolate, graphite, blackberry, blueberry, cassis, and ink characteristics are present in this full-bodied, powerful, massive St.-Emilion. While the tannins are noticeable, they are better integrated than they were seven years ago, and the fruit, extract, and richness clearly outweigh the wine’s structure. This 2000 will benefit from another 4-5 years of cellaring (longer than I originally predicted), and has at least two decades of drinkability ahead of it.

The 2000 Troplong Mondot is another vintage that I have not tasted for a long time. This includes some Cabernet Sauvignon that was north-facing and subsequently removed for the 2001. The youthful bouquet of black cherries, cassis, marmalade and blood orange is vibrant and precocious and shows fewer secondary aromas than some of its peers. It opens nicely to reveal camphor and star anise aromas, almost Rhône-like. The palate is chewy, quite dense and backward but initially lacks a bit of charm. Licorice and sloes come through. Slightly granular in texture, it feels tight at first, but it deserves applause for its freshness and improves with aeration, loosening up and finally developing that missing charm.

Good saturated ruby-red. Expressive, thoroughly ripe aromas of blackberry, violet and game. Sweet on entry, then lush and densely packed in the middle, with terrific depth of flavor and backbone. Very ripe yet cool flavors of blackberry, espresso and licorice. A powerfully constituted wine that will need a good decade of bottle aging. But, in contrast to the 2001 and 2002 vintages, here the strong tannins are beautifully distributed and fine. A great success for this chateau.

Deep crimson. Very dense. Spicy nose. More dangerous and less concentrated than the Pavie-Macquin. Exotic treacle. Looks relatively youthful. Exotically ripe nose. Voluptuous and only just sufficiently reined-in. Chewy, sandy tannins. Quite painful at the moment. Lots of tannins and acidity. Refreshing without very dry tannins at the finish. Slightly medicinal. (JR)