2003 Troplong Mondot
By Chateau Troplong Mondot
2003 Troplong Mondot from Château Troplong Mondot, Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux
In the annals of Bordeaux, the 2003 vintage stands as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of vines and vinters alike. Among the esteemed ranks, the 2003 Troplong Mondot from Château Troplong Mondot emerges as a distinguished representative from Saint-Émilion, illustrating the sheer potential of this heat-stressed year.
Radiant Vintage Under the Bordeaux Sun
The year 2003 is remembered for its scorching summer, challenging even the most hallowed terroirs. At Saint-Émilion's elevated grounds, Château Troplong Mondot's Merlot-dominated blend absorbed the sun's omnipotence, translating it into one of the region's most compelling wines. The sheer concentration here is balanced with an inexplicable elegance that has become the hallmark of the estate.
A Taste Profoundly Rooted in Exceptional Terroir
2003 was a year that could have been fraught with peril for Bordeaux's vines, yet the 2003 Troplong Mondot stands as a paragon of excellence. Its deep garnet hue enshrines an opulent bouquet where ripe black cherries and plums mingle with subtle hints of truffle and leather — a charming waltz of complexity and balance. On the palate, there is a generous full-bodied richness, supported by ripe tannins that have unfurled beautifully over time to create a suave texture.
An analytical perusal of this vintage affirms its investment worthiness; for collectors and connoisseurs, the 2003 Troplong Mondot convinces not solely through its peak-form palatability but also through its persistent augmentation in stature amongst peers.
Concluding Notes on a Distinctive Investment Vintage
The 2003 Troplong Mondot is one of those quintessential wines that encapsulate a specific moment in vinicultural history. This bottle embodies an era marked by climatic extremities yet yields extraordinary sensual delights. It punctuates any collection with both its narrative and its sumptuous depth of flavour — an indispensable treasure for investors seeking to enrich their portfolio with a vintage both storied and stately.
Market price (GBP)
£1,150.00
12x75cl
Highest score
94
POP score
82.14
Scores and tasting notes
Very deep garnet-black. Warm plum, cedar, tobacco and mocha make for a very alluring if somewhat contrasting nose on this young wine. The palate is very tight, with firm, slightly astringent tannins and the faintest touch of bitterness hinting over zealous extraction. This is however a minor point as the wine is wonderfully rich, full bodied and concentrated, and aptly balanced by medium+ acidity. Very long finish. Drink now to 2028. Tasted February 2009.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #164 April 2006
Troplong Mondot’s 2003 is a brilliant success in this vintage, largely because of the limestone soils and incredibly low yields. There are nearly 70 acres of vines in production, yields were tiny, and the harvest was early. Nevertheless, there is an opulence and youthfulness in this wine that suggest it has at least a decade of life left. A luxurious effort with high glycerin, loads of blueberry, mulberry, black currant, licorice and charcoal ember-like notes, full body, low acidity and sweet tannin, this beauty is close to full maturity and can be drunk now as well as over the next decade.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 27 August 2014
Tasted at Bordeaux Index's '10-Year On' tasting in London. The 2003 Troplong Mondot has another soft, smudged fruitcake, raisin and anis tinged bouquet with a slight charred not underneath. The palate is medium-bodied with a lively, quite attractive entry of leather, cedar-tinged dark berry fruit infused with leather and spice. It is missing some tension and freshness towards the finish that shows more grip and persistent than some of its peers. However, my feeling is that it may begin to dry out after another couple of years. Tasted March 2013.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal May 2013