1997 Troplong Mondot
By Chateau Troplong Mondot
1997 Troplong Mondot from Chateau Troplong Mondot, Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux
Upon reflection, the 1997 Troplong Mondot from Chateau Troplong Mondot emerges as a pivotal vintage for investors and connoisseurs, showcasing a discerning balance between maturity and vibrancy. With its enclave in the illustrious Saint-Émilion region, this Chateau has always had the ethos of producing wines with a profound ability to reflect both the terroir and the temperament of their vintage.
A Vintage That Speaks Volumes
The year 1997 was a juncture at which Bordeaux's weather patterns took a favorable yet challenging turn—a mix that tested the mettle of vignerons throughout the region. The mild winter and warm spring set a hasty pace for the vineyards, leading into a summer with bouts of rain. This mosaic of conditions tasked Chateau Troplong Mondot with crafting a wine that captures the delicate interplay between early tannins and ripened fruit—a task they achieved with commendable prowess.
Characteristics of an Adroit Artisan
This 1997 vintage speaks of diligence and attention to detail in winemaking: it is suffused with subtle traceries of blackcurrant and plums, elegantly wrapped in tertiary tones of earthy forest floor and hints of cigar box—a tribute to its ageing potential. Starlit acidity and mellifluous tannins dance upon the palate, testifying to an expert viniculture that coaxed grace from such climatic uniqueness.
As an investment piece, this wine garners interest not only for its pedigree but for its splendid evolution over the years—maturing into a nuanced manifestation of the Saint-Émilion appellation.
A Cultivator's Chronicle: The 1997 Troplong Mondot
In sum, the 1997 Troplong Mondot stands as an articulate example of what can be achieved in Bordeaux's tapestry of vintages—an illustrated narrative depicting strength and resilience under Mother Nature’s caprices. A collector's gem, it adroitly binds temporal elements to deliver liquid opulence that gradually unfolds with each savoured sip. Investors take heed: here lies a dignified addition to any portfolio that silently boasts exclusivity through time's uninterrupted march.
Market price (SGD)
$1,210.00
12x75cl
Highest score
90
POP score
73
Scores and tasting notes
Dark black colour. The nose is still closed but the palate is full-bodied, concentrated for a 1997 with notes of spice and tar with a blackcurrant finish. This could be the sleeper of the vintage.
Neal Martin - Wine Advocate - Wine Journal
This gorgeously elegant, concentrated wine exhibits a dark ruby/purple color, and a beautifully knit, blackberry and cherry-scented nose with toasty oak in the background. Not a massive effort, it offers beautifully supple fruit flavors, an attractive fragrance, a ripe, sweet mid-palate, and soft tannin. Drink this seductive, lush Troplong-Mondot over the next decade.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 20 April 2000