Mark S.

9.0

Deep cherry red. oak vanilla black currant blueberry black cherry and berry. Leather. spicy bitter. Necessary to wait at least for 30 min to understand this, then understood its gentleness from Merlot rich 85%. It is mentioned that it is drinkable relatively early. Traditional. Fruitiness M Sweetness M Acidity M Gentle Tannin M+ Bitterness M Body M+ Finish M+ 13.5% Château Troplong Mondot St. Emilion Red Bordeaux Blend 21 @31500, AD, 260226 — 24 days ago

Mike Evans

9.2

A good but not great LLC, classic black current and hints of leather and cedar, but a little rustic, though drinking it next to a lovely 1990 Troplong-Mondot didn’t do it any favors. — a year ago

Aaron Tan

8.9

Honestly, after the two massive Bordeaux’s, this was hard to palate. It’s an even bigger wine! Instantly stood out as being from the new world to me due to the fruit quality, which was sort of glossy when compared to the Bordeaux’s. On the nose, ripe black fruits, liquorice, vanilla, capsicum, mint, tobacco, and a whiff of volatile acidity. For me, the flavours on the palate seemed a little one dimensional when compared to the nose (just creamy cassis from start to end), but it may well have been just closed at the time of my tasting. Again, like the other big wines of the night, I enjoyed the tannin structure the most, which was quite distinct, starting at the edge of the tongue before enveloping the inner walls of the gums. The finish was warm and undeniably long, but it doesn’t compare to the length of the 11’ Troplong Mondot. A JS 99-pointer, but a no-no for me. Probably needs heaps of cellaring to be palatable for me, that is if the fruit doesn’t dry out first. — 4 years ago

Philip Deibel

9.7

My review did not post previously for some reason. This is a very impressive wine. Even over several hours it was continuing to open up and show additional layers. I wish we had saved some for the following night but we couldn’t help but finish it! From a small lieu-dit on the right bank next to Pavie and Troplong-Mondot. I had specific thoughts last month but they will have to wait for the next bottle. But I HIGHLY recommend Component wines. Actually, I recommend anything by Michael Kennedy. He has a Napa and Bordeaux line, along with the newly announced Gagnon-Kennedy brand from historic Napa sources. Come along for the ride! — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

I purchased this one in futures, likely in spring of 06 & delivered in late 07 to Spring of 08. Parked in my storage since then.

As it was then, 2005 was a grand vintage as acclaimed by critics. So, that is when you buy some fringe producers. Buy 2nd Bordeaux wines from excellent producers to fringe regions/producers. More often than not, you’ll find really good value as is the case here. $20 on release I think.

Long coravined two separate glasses.

The nose shows a touch of v/a, but nothing offensive. Mostly…it is good old fashion Bordeaux funkiness. There is mushrooms, soft cedar, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum skin, black raspberries, poached strawberries, mid berry cola, anise to licorice, graphite, tobacco, sandalwood, steeped tea, forest florals that are dark and in a violet frame.

The palate shows no sign of being tired. The fruits still fresh, lush, round & ripe; brambly blackberries, blackberries, black plum skin, poached strawberries, raspberry hues, noticeable, moist, grey, volcanic clay, some chocolate pudding, (it is Saint Emilionish), mid berry cola/licorice, dry tobacco, lead pencil, volcanic ash, dry top soils/crushed limestone, dark spice with mid intensity, some black pepper notes, soft, even layered baking spices-clove, hints of nutmeg & cinnamon, understated vanillin, moist herb notes, dark, rich, earth w/ dry leaves, dark, fresh & withering flowers/red roses, rainfall acidity, balance for days, excellent tension-structure-length with en elegant, round finish that lasts 90 seconds and falls on clay & gentle spice.

If stored as I have, will hold a few more yrs and last another 7-8 yrs. You could make a case for 92 here.

Now some history on a producer likely many have not heard of/embraced. From their site:

This Flemish wine merchant family invested since 1924 in the Pomerol vineyard of Vieux Château Certan and in 1920 with Troplong Mondot in Saint-Emilion (sold in 1935).

The following generation, in 1946, George and Monica Thienpont, coming from their natal Flanders, moved into Puygueraud, restored the XVth Century chateau. After a long pause in polyculture, undertook the reconstruction of the vineyard whereby the first vintage would see the day in 1983.

In 1981, Nicolas Thienpont, with his father, engaged in the transition between a production oriented viticulture to one of excellence. Since 1983, the first vintage year mark, this approach has continued.

Since 2009, Nicolas and his son Cyrille Thienpont, have worked hand-in-hand for the crafting of this wine that over the last 30 years has become the flagship of the Francs Côtes-de-Bordeaux appellation and a veritable jewel of Bordeaux.

Photos of; Chateau Puygueraud, Director-Owner Cyrille Thienpont.

#DSLounge — a month ago

Aaron Tan

8.9

Again, not a wine that passed the drinkability test for me, but there are things that I liked about it, and some that I didn't. Right off the bat, it was way too heavy for me, both on the nose and palate. Heaps of oak aromas covering some sweet black fruits. The palate also came off as being quite sweet, almost syrupy, but here's where the balancing act comes in - just the right amount of acidity to keep it juicy. It's like biting into a very sweet, ripe, juicy plum with a peppering of cinnamon and vanilla. I enjoyed the tannins most, fine and directional, starting at the tip of the tongue, then swinging under before traveling down the inner walls of the gum. What a cool structure! And then there's the underlying minerality with air, which was pleasantly surprising. The finish took a turn for the worse - medium, rich, and oaky, yet bitter with hints of scorched earth character which I dislike. Also quite warm. Generally, more finessed than the 2011 Troplong Mondot, but less stacked and more stumbling blocks. Has potential. — 4 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

1990 vintage. Excellent mid-neck fill. Picture perfect cork with minimal saturation. Decanted and tasted after 10 minutes and 2.5 hours. Throwing respectable, powdery sed but not too much. The funk blew off all too quickly and treated to a fairly unified effort. Light-medium/medium body. Front and mid-palates were doing all the heavy lifting early with not much on the back end initially but things evened out over time. Impeccable specimen so hesitant to base drinkability on this specific offering. This one drinking at this range for another near-decade/decade. Other examples would likely slot in as showing best for another half-decade. 08.02.25. — 8 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2020 vintage. Tasted over the course of 1.5 hours. Medium body. Darker fruits (similar to Troplong-Mondot but less structure) evident from the get go. Plenty of upfront and mid-palate grip with things softening a bit in the later going. Picked up two bottles from Costco...seem to remember it retailing somewhere between $26-$33 a bottle. Definitely worth that pricing and beyond but this specimen wasn't hitting the high score/notes suggested by the Neal Martin review or Delectable others on this particular vintage. Maybe my palate was blown out by the previous wine...a 2019 Barolo. Perhaps. Will likely roll back and pick up two more bottles just to have laying around since it was drinking nicely anyway for the price. Was unfamiliar with this producer and a bit more "practice" won't hurt. 11.26.24. — a year ago

Daniel Bloom

9.0

N:Stewed Plums, chocolate, funk.. swampy funk. A bit of cherry. Cardamom.
P: Gravel road, plums, sous-bois, chocolate, Tannins still a bit cheeky.
MUCH better than my first bottle.
375. — 5 years ago

Leslie Bartos

9.7

Whoa, hedonistic bouquet. Creme de cassis, coconut creme, truffle. Soft and round. Incredible nose, but a little shy on the palate. Slightly past peak? Still my WOTN. 1990 vintage on 6/30/18 — 8 years ago

with Tony