2020 Château Troplong Mondot Mondot Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Mondot is the characterful second wine of Château Troplong Mondot, offering a refined introduction to one of Saint-Émilion’s most illustrious estates. Sourced from dedicated limestone parcels on the edge of the property, the 2020 vintage delivers vibrant fruit, polished structure and impressive depth for its level. With a style that echoes its Grand Vin but at a far more accessible price, this is a savvy way to experience the Troplong Mondot signature.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2020 Mondot shows a deep, vivid ruby-purple hue that hints at both richness and freshness. The nose opens with aromas of sweet blackberries and ripe raspberries, lifted by rose petals and touches of wild herbs and subtle spice. As it evolves in the glass, notes of red plum, crushed violets and a gentle mineral edge emerge, reflecting its limestone origins. On the palate, Mondot 2020 is medium to full-bodied, plush and fleshy, with a seamless, pure core of lively red and black fruit. The Merlot-driven profile brings supple tannins, a creamy mid-palate and a long, juicy finish that remains precise rather than heavy. There is enough structure and freshness to support several years of cellaring, with optimal drinking likely from the mid-2020s through the early 2030s, though its generous fruit makes it approachable in its youth after a brief aeration.

Production
Mondot is crafted primarily from Merlot grown on recently acquired vineyards atop the renowned limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion, an elevated terroir that naturally lends finesse, freshness and aromatic intensity. The vines benefit from excellent exposure and well-drained, limestone-rich soils, which help produce grapes with concentrated flavor and vibrant acidity. Harvesting at Troplong Mondot is carried out entirely by hand, allowing careful selection of perfectly ripe bunches in the vineyard. In the winery, Mondot is vinified with an emphasis on purity of fruit and elegance: around 40% of the blend is aged in tank to preserve freshness and energy, while the remainder matures in used barriques, bringing gentle complexity and texture without overt new oak influence.

Food & Serving
The 2020 Mondot pairs beautifully with classic French bistro and brasserie fare: think roast lamb with herbs, grilled or pan-seared duck breast, beef ribeye, or slow-braised short ribs. It also complements earthy dishes such as mushroom ragout, truffle risotto, or roasted vegetables with thyme and rosemary, and works well alongside semi-hard cheeses like Comté or aged Gouda. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight its freshness and aromatic lift. Young bottles will benefit from 30–60 minutes in a decanter to soften the tannins and allow the floral and herbal notes to fully unfold.

Producer
Château Troplong Mondot is one of the historic benchmarks of Saint-Émilion, with roots that trace back to 1745, when the property was known as Domaine de Mondot and formed part of what is now Château Pavie. The estate took its present name in 1850 with the arrival of Raymond Troplong, and has since built a reputation as one of the appellation’s leading crus. Classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé, Troplong Mondot sits on the highest point of the Côte Pavie in Saint-Laurent-des-Combes, a privileged position that contributes to the distinctive character of its wines. Today the 43-hectare estate, planted predominantly to Merlot with smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, is renowned for its meticulous, fully manual harvest and its precision in the cellar. Guided since the 1980s by the influence of celebrated oenologist Michel Rolland, the château has consistently produced wines of power, elegance and age-worthiness, with Mondot serving as a refined, approachable expression of this storied terroir.