Bordeaux’s Chateau Troplong-Mondot is a large wine estate on the Right Bank of the Gironde River overlooking the village of Saint Emilion. Its 33-hectare vineyard is planted traditionally with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The chateau dates back to 1745 and Troplong-Mondot was originally part of one sizeable domaine which included the vineyards of Chateau Pavie. The current estate was established in 1850 when Raymond-Theodore Troplong acquired Mondot, expanded the vineyard, and promoted its reputation. Following a trend of that period, his heir Edouard Troplong later added Mondot to his name and Troplong-Mondot was born.

The property passed into the hands of the Valette family at the beginning of the 20th century, with Christine Valette taking up management of the property in 1980. Since then, things quickly changed for the better. The quality of the wines improved and Chateau Troplong-Mondot became known as one of the top wines of the Right Bank.

Christine Valette has since passed away and today, the estate is managed by Xavier Pariente who has been involved with the estate since 2002. In 2006, it was awarded the Premier Grand Cru Classe B in the Saint Emilion classification.

Chateau Troplong-Mondot is grown on extensive vineyards rich in limestone and clay soils. Powerful and well-structured with pronounced complex tannins, its deep aromas of truffles and blackberries develop over time.

The grapes are hand-harvested, totally destemmed, and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, moving to oak barrels for secondary malolactic fermentation. The wine is matured in oak barrels (75% new oak and 25% one-year old) for 12 to 24 months depending on the vintage. The average production of the grand vin is between 60,000 to 90,000 bottles.

The 2023 Troplong-Mondot Bordeaux Blend is a striking red wine from the Saint Emilion sub-region of Bordeaux, France. Produced by Troplong-Mondot, this vintage has garnered significant attention and high praise from wine critics. The wine is a blend of 84% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Cabernet Franc, showcasing the typical depth and complexity of this terroir.

James Suckling awarded this wine an impressive 98 points, describing it as "tight and very focused," with "freshness and finesse" that enhances its character. Suckling notes the wine's "ultra-fine tannins" and a "vivid finish," highlighting its "blackberry and blueberry character" and a "cashmere-like texture."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also reviewed the wine favorably, scoring it between 95 and 97 points. William Kelley commended its "aroma of black raspberries, mulberries, and cherries," and its deep, layered texture. Kelley emphasized the wine's "beautifully polished tannins and succulent acids," indicative of its terroir.

Vinous reviewer Antonio Galloni echoed these sentiments, giving the wine a score between 95 and 98 points. Galloni described the 2023 Troplong-Mondot as "towering and statuesque," with "dark red-toned fruit, licorice, spice, lavender, mocha, and pencil shavings." He praised its "soaring aromatics" and "limestone-infused finish."

Jane Anson awarded the wine 97 points, highlighting its "inky plum" color and "vibrant violet edges." She noted its "velvety texture" and "fresh blueberry and blackberry fruits," along with "grilled spices and sandalwood oak." Anson appreciated the high Cabernet Franc content and the use of whole cluster fermentation in some tanks.

Decanter also rated the wine highly at 97 points, praising its "pure, clean and precise" aromatics and "gorgeous succulence and bright berries." The review emphasized the wine's "sense of whole bunch fermentation" and its "electric" character.

Jeb Dunnuck gave the wine a slightly lower but still commendable score of 94 points, noting its "beautiful purity of fruit," "creamy, rounder mouthfeel," and "beautiful tannins." Dunnuck highlighted its "gorgeous notes of black cherries, hints of mulberries, graphite, and crushed stone."

Jeff Leve, from The Wine Cellar Insider, rated the wine between 96 and 98 points, describing it as "rich, deep, full-bodied, concentrated and intense." He praised its "creamy textures" and "lingering finish," which displays "sweet, red, and black fruits, salted oranges, and a beautiful chalky character."

The Wine Independent's Lisa Perrotti-Brown also gave the wine a score between 96 and 98 points, noting its "deep garnet-purple color" and "gorgeous notes of mulberries, wild blueberries, and redcurrant jelly." She highlighted its "mouth-coating black and red fruit layers" and "velvety tannins."

Overall, the 2023 Troplong-Mondot Bordeaux Blend is a highly acclaimed wine, praised for its depth, complexity, and elegant finish.