TN: 2001 Troplong Mondot

WINE TALK
1

This wine was opened and decanted at 2:00 pm and tasted at the time with the first glass poured at 8:00 pm.
The nose, right from the get go, was loaded with blueberries. More than I ever remember noting in any Bordeaux I have ever had. It reminded me of the blueberries I noted in a recent Shiraz. On the palate, the oak is readily evident but, well integrated with the wine. Very creamy undertone but, the blueberries dominate the palate. The tannins were a bit obtrusive in the first taste but, were silky and flattering on the first glass. Medium bodied and offering typical merlot character but, nothing here screams Bordeaux. It didn’t pair well with the food (water crackers, Epoisses Berthaut, a couple of artisnal blue cheeses from Quebec and some salmon mousse). There was nothing to dislike about the wine but, alternatively, there was nothing etheral about it either. A glass saved for sampling the next day had stood up well but, was at the same place as the night before but, a day older (not quite as precise).

I have three left and they will be gone by the end of the year. This is the only vintage of this wine I have ever bought though my notes show that I have had seven vintages over the years.

2

[scratch.gif] This wine is way too young. Why would you possibly drink the rest now?

3

I’m with Drew. You pop a wine like this 8 years from vintage of course it’s tasting young - it is. Why not simply cellar the other 3 and try one in 5 years?

4

Drew,
I don’t think it is way too young. I think it performed more like a Cali Cab than a young Bordeaux. I doubt this wine gets any better for my palate if it gets better at all. IMHO, it may stay at its level for a while but, it just doesn’t have the backbone. The fruit is just like I remember it was immediately after bottling. Now I may be wrong – I certainly wouldn’t take the under on that – but, I just don’t see this wine getting better. So I would drink the rest now to get the pleasure they offer now rather than be disappointed down the road. BTW, I am a dyed in the wool old world guy and I like 'em on the mature side to the point where in each stash I have probably wasted a bottle by holding on too long. I even age $20 stuff. I think I have posted some notes on 10 year entry level shiraz/Bordeaux where some (93 Clos du Marquis and Elderton comes to mind as well as St. Hallet Blackwell from 98) were absolutely eye opening how good they were and some (Peter Lehman comes to mind as does 95 Vielle Cure) were a complete disaster – (at least 3 data points for the shiraz exactly 3 the VC and 7 for the Clos) . If I lived in the US, I would be selling these as, to me, they seem a bit spoofy … if I understand what that means exactly. The length was underwhelming compared to my impression upon release. The blueberry was full and evident (overwhelming actually) and left me with no impression the wine was sleeping or off in any way. I just didn’t find much lurking in the background that would come forward in the years to come.

5

I had the 2003 last year and it was tight, closed, and tannic and never really opened up. If I were you (and I am not) I would still hold one and hope for the best. I decided to do that with 2 remaining bottles of 99’ Cheval Blanc I have left. The one I had 3 1/2 yrs ago was tight and tannic as well but I remain hopeful that it will come around in part because I had a 95’ Cheval Blanc that was well…orgasmic rolleyes

Whatever you decide, good luck [cheers.gif]

6

My experience with Troplong Mondot as well.