Château Troplong Mondot Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé 2017

The 2017 is one of the most historically significant bottles Château Troplong Mondot has ever produced, and not only because of what's in the glass. It was the first vintage under new owner SCOR (who acquired the estate that year for a then-record 7 million euros per hectare) and the first made under new director Aymeric de Gironde, who arrived from Cos d'Estournel just in time for harvest. De Gironde and consulting winemaker Thomas Duclos moved immediately to pull the harvest dates forward, lower fermentation temperatures, reduce new oak, and eliminate malolactic fermentation in barrel, producing a wine of uncommon freshness and energy from Troplong Mondot's exceptional 43-hectare single-block vineyard atop the limestone hill of Mondot in Saint-Émilion. The estate had been founded in the 17th century and earned its Premier Grand Cru Classé B status in 2006 under the stewardship of Christine Valette-Pariente, who built its reputation over three decades.

The 2017 blend of 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Cabernet Franc drew an extraordinary response from critics. Vinous awarded it 98+, Wine Advocate 95 to 97, Decanter 96, James Suckling 96, Wine Enthusiast 96, Jeb Dunnuck 95, and Wine Spectator 94. Antonio Galloni called it stunning and nothing short of thrilling, rich and ample yet endowed with striking energy, a Troplong of uncommon vibrancy that takes hold of all the senses and never lets up. Jane Anson described it as one of the few wines in 2017 to really make your heart race, with blueberry, cool black fruit, zippy minerality, and a juicy, slightly saline finish. A landmark wine from a landmark vintage in the estate's history, at an incredibly well-priced level for the address. Grab yours before they're gone.