The 2014 Troplong Mondot is super-impressive. Dark cherry, plum, smoke, chocolate and dark spice notes meld together in this stunningly beautiful, opulent Saint-Émilion. Large-scale, ample and totally flamboyant in style, the 2014 is going to need time to fully come together, but it is striking even today. The blend is 90 % Merlot, 8 % Cabernet Sauvignon and 2 % Cabernet Franc.

The 2014 Troplong Mondot has a bold and assertive bouquet with blackberry and raspberry laced with dried rose petal and mineral notes, all beautifully defined. The palate is medium-bodied with a graphite seam on the entry suggesting this might be the Cabernet Sauvignon at Figeac. It feels very focused, structured and fresh, but there is something aloof about this Saint-Émilion that prompts Left Bank comparisons. Despite the high alcohol levels (unnecessary in my opinion) this does work. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. - vinous.com, March 2018

Plenty of personality on the nose with beautiful meatiness, black cherry, mint leaf, chocolate, tar, cherry and spice. This is superb, it really sings right now and shows maturity beyond its years. Delivers the power of Troplong and the complexity of the greatest Bordeaux estates. (RH)

Tasted blind. Very dark with garnet rim. Cedary and with masses of dark fruit still and some toasty oak. Firm, powerful tannins with just enough fruit at the core. A big, beefy wine just in balance but needing more time for those tannins to resolve further. And slightly charry on the finish. (JH)