Troplong-Mondot 2004:
Black/purple in color, with decent aromas of blue fruits, violets and cracked pepper. Sort of muted in the middle however, with dried out fruit flavors- blackberries and blueberries- and a somewhat unpleasant mix of leather, smoke and chocolate/espresso. Perhaps not in great place or perhaps just not great. Expected a little more. Tasted once before and liked it more. 87 points
I understand that you are in the biz John and tasting wine is part of the biz. I have purchased TP for 20 years. The only vintage that I tasted outside of the Chateau and enjoyed before 10 years in bottle was the 94 that today may be the worst example of TP to open.
I have a few 04’s and they will hit my try list probably 2016. It may not be a great bottle then either, but that is my conditioning on these wines. I am confident that at least the mid-palate will fill out.
Jack, I own this wine. Tasting young wines is just important as tasting wines with age. And, in some cases, more important, especially to someone my age. Before I decide to fill my cellar with large quantities of any wine I want to see how it preforms in multiple vintages (exceptional ones, poor ones alike), in its youth and with age, next to its peers, with food and without, over the course of hours, etc. So, while you may have a grand plan already in motion for all of your wines mine is still dynamic.