The brilliant 2011 Troplong Mondot is one of the superstars of the vintage. The final blend was 89% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc, and the wine tips the scales at 14.5% alcohol. Its opaque blue/purple, nearly black color is followed by aromas of blueberry liqueur interwoven with black raspberries, blackberries, licorice, camphor and forest floor. Among the most complete wines of the vintage, with no hollowness, astringency or herbaceousness, this is a tour de force in a challenging vintage. Some tannins are noticeable, but this 2011 is already approachable and should provide delicious, complex drinking over the next two decades. Bravo! - 212, The Wine Advocate, March 2014

I love the aromas of blackberries with hints of minerals and flowers. Hints of subtle sandalwood. Full body, with a beautiful balance of juicy fruit and bright acidity. Long and spicy with intense character. 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc.

A gorgeous red, offering ganache and fig notes melded nicely together, with ample heft, but good freshness, with a long, dark, richly layered finish. This goes for power - and pulls it off.-J.M.

Purple-ruby; this stains the glass. Superripe, showy aromas of plum, blackberry jam and sweet spices. Then very oaky and astringent in the mouth, with the black fruit flavors currently overswhelmed by mouth-drying tannins. This wine is saved by its floral, complex perfume; otherwise I'd have serious reservations about it. My hope is that time will bring better balance and a smoother middle palate.

A blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc picked from 16th September with the Merlot until 5th October with the Cabernet. The nose on the 2011 is tightly wound with reluctant blackberry and cassis notes, the alcohol more contained than last year. The palate is full-bodied with ripe, furry tannins and layers of toasty, quite spicy black fruit laced with liquorice. The finish is a little dry and mealy and comparing it directly to the sample of Chateau Canon...well, the difference cannot be disguised. Tasted April 2012.

Black to the rim. Dark and brooding on the nose. Compact and very savoury on the palate but has excellent balance, just all hidden at the moment. Tannins show dry finesse. Very persistent. (JH)

Drink 2017-2027 Deep black cherry colour, black core. Sweet but not overripe damson and plum. A touch floral and toasty/tarry too. Bags of black fruit, chocolate texture and flavour on the palate. (JH)

Undeniably less interesting than the 2010 and 2009, and the tannins are more sticky and aggressive. There's plenty of quality here, but the vintage is clearly the weak link. A valiant effort in challenging circumstances. (RH)