Millesima USA LLC – New York Fine Wine Merchant
Troplong Mondot became the latest Bordeaux estate to release its 2010 prices today. Since 2006, Troplong Mondot has been classified as “Premier Grand Cru Classe B.”
Saint Emilion Classification Explained
Most of the Left Bank follows the hierarchy of the 1855 Classification which lists the most prestigious chateaux as First Growths (Lafite, Latour, Mouton, Margaux, Haut Brion). Aside from Mouton’s promotion in 1973, the 1855 Classification is fixed and hasn’t officially changed since it was established.
In 1955, Saint Emilion established its own classification system and pledged to update the included estates every 10 years after rigorous blind tastings. The original list contained 12 Premier grands crus classes and 63 Grands crus classes.
The Premiers grands crus classes was further split into 2 categories – A and B – with “Premiers grands crus classes A” containing the two prestigious estates Cheval Blanc and Ausone, which are the Saint Emilion equivalents of the 1855 Medoc/Graves First Growths.
2006 Controversy
This system worked well until 2006 when a handful of chateaux were demoted and promptly sued. Troplong Mondot, on the other hand, benefited from the 2006 reclassification by being promoted to “Premiers grands crus classes B” so they fought to retain their new status.
After four years of lawsuits, statuses temporarily revoked, and Senate hearings, the new Saint Emilion Classification was approved in November 2010. The result – promoted chateaux could keep their new status while demoted chateaux would also remain classified.
Despite the problems, the classification system will continue. Now, the French regulatory body for wine, INAO (which is responsible for approving and managing AOC status throughout France), will conduct extensive blind tastings and grade vineyard operations like an exam.
2010 Troplong Mondot Wine
The 2010 vintage has received excellent scores from Robert Parker (96-98), Decanter (18.5), James Suckling (95-96), and Wine Spectator (93-96).
[quote]Troplong Mondot always tends toward rich, opulent styling, and in vintages with heightened maturity, their wine can be particularly powerful. This super-ripe 2010 fulfills that expectation, being highly concentrated with a heady note of cherry liqueur. Ultra- rich, mouth-coating, and possessing bountiful red fruit qualities, this vintage is nevertheless kept under control by the elevated acidity of the year. This provides a refreshing counterpoint to its opulence. – Roger Bohmrich, Master of Wine[/quote]You can buy 2010 Troplong Mondot through Millesima USA.