Château Troplong Mondot 1981

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for Château Troplong Mondot 1981

Tasting

Color
The color reveals a deep, dark ruby hue.

Nose
The bouquet reveals a flavorful profile, marked by great classicism.

Palate
On the palate, this red wine is balanced and traditional. A reflection of its era, it offers a classic tannic structure and a more moderate concentration than the estate's contemporary vintages.

The Classic Expression of an Emblematic Saint-Émilion Terroir

The Estate

Built in 1745, Château Troplong Mondot is a landmark estate located at the heart of the Saint-Émilion appellation, in the famous Bordeaux region of France. After undergoing a true qualitative renaissance under the impetus of Christine Valette from the 1980s onward, the estate was elevated to the rank of Premier Grand Cru Classé. Since 2017, this viticultural gem has been owned by the SCOR group. Under the direction of Aymeric de Gironde, the estate continues its quest for excellence, combining absolute respect for the terroir with pioneering environmental commitments.

The Vineyard

Rising to 110 meters in altitude, the vineyard represents the highest point in Saint-Émilion, offering the vines optimal 360-degree sun exposure. Spanning around forty hectares, this late-ripening, cool terroir stands out for its complex geology, composed of a thick layer of clay resting on deep limestone deposits interspersed with flint. The vines, averaging thirty-five years of age, are cultivated with deep respect for the ecosystem, without any herbicides or insecticides, with soil work carried out entirely by horse-drawn traction to preserve biodiversity.

The Vintage

The year 1981 began under standard weather conditions for the region, with a winter and spring that allowed for a trouble-free flowering. While the early summer was cool, overcast, and rainy, the weather improved markedly in August. A long warm, dry spell then set in until September, encouraging the gradual ripening of the berries. However, heavy and continuous rainfall arrived in early October, significantly disrupting the harvest period.

Winemaking and Aging

Crafted before the major technical modernizations of the following decades, the Château Troplong Mondot 1981 is the result of traditional know-how. For this vintage, the winemaking and aging methods followed the standards of the time, using oak barrels of more conventional proportions, resulting in a less extracted profile than the estate's current wines.