Chateau Troplong Mondot Saint Emilion 2000

Chateau Troplong Mondot Saint Emilion 2000 is a Merlot-dominant Bordeaux red from one of Saint-Émilion's highest-elevation estates, bottled at 750ml. This vintage earned 96 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, placing it among the finest expressions Troplong Mondot has produced, and it stands fully mature with decades of development behind it.

Quick Facts: Origin: Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France  |  Vintage: 2000  |  Blend: 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc  |  Producer: Château Troplong Mondot

Production & Heritage

Château Troplong Mondot sits at the highest point of the Saint-Émilion appellation — roughly 110 meters above sea level — where clay-limestone soils and a full 360-degree exposure create a microclimate distinct from the plateau and côtes below. Grapes are hand-harvested, often among the last picked in Saint-Émilion due to the cooler hilltop terroir, then fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The 2000 was aged for 18 months in oak barriques, with 65% new wood and 35% one-year-old barrels, a regimen that contributed to the wine's characteristic depth and structure.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe black cherries, cassis, and blackberry liqueur before revealing layers of liquid smoke, dark spices, and a graphite-mineral thread. With air, notes of marmalade, blood orange, and vanilla-tinged oak emerge.

Taste: The palate entry is round and lush, delivering intense chocolate-covered plums and blackberry fruit alongside espresso and licorice. At mid-palate, bright acidity lifts the considerable concentration, while fine-grained tannins provide structure without austerity. The overall impression is powerful and full-bodied yet silky, with a richness tempered by mineral tension.

Finish: Long and intense, dominated by dark fruit and bittersweet chocolate with lingering smoke and mineral undertones. The tannins have resolved into a soft, sweet persistence that speaks to the wine's maturity.

How to Drink Troplong Mondot 2000

This wine is best served neat in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass at 16–18°C; decanting for 30 to 60 minutes will help it open fully after years in bottle. At over two decades of age, it rewards patient, contemplative sipping rather than cocktail use. Pair it with food that respects its weight and complexity — it has the stature to stand alongside the richest dishes on the table.

Best For

• Celebrating a milestone birthday or anniversary from the year 2000
• Gifting a serious Bordeaux collector a mature, highly rated Saint-Émilion
• Anchoring a vertical tasting of Troplong Mondot vintages
• Pairing with a special holiday or dinner-party main course

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Troplong Mondot 2000 taste like? It delivers intense chocolate, blackberry, cassis, and espresso flavors supported by bright acidity, fine tannins, and a long, smoke-tinged finish. Now fully mature, it shows the lush sweetness and mineral complexity of a well-aged Right Bank Bordeaux.

How does Troplong Mondot 2000 compare to Château Pavie 2000? Both are top-tier Saint-Émilion estates from an outstanding vintage; Pavie 2000 tends toward a more structured, tannic profile, while Troplong Mondot 2000 leans into richer, rounder fruit with notable chocolate and smoke character. Troplong Mondot's 96-point Parker score and Pavie's similarly high critical praise reflect comparable quality, though they express different terroirs within the appellation.

Is Troplong Mondot 2000 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — this is a wine built for reflective, unhurried drinking, ideally after a brief decant to let its complex aromatics fully unfold. Its resolved tannins and layered fruit make neat enjoyment the ideal approach.

Where is Troplong Mondot made? Château Troplong Mondot is located at the summit of the Saint-Émilion plateau in Bordeaux, France, at approximately 110 meters elevation — the highest point in the appellation. This hilltop position gives the estate unique clay-limestone soils and a cooler microclimate that delays ripening and extends the growing season.

What foods pair well with Troplong Mondot 2000? Braised short ribs complement the wine's chocolate and dark fruit weight. Roasted rack of lamb with herb crust echoes its savory, spiced complexity. Aged hard cheeses like Comté or Manchego match its mature tannin structure. Slow-cooked duck confit mirrors the wine's richness and earthiness. Dark chocolate desserts with a hint of espresso harmonize with the finish.

What sizes does Troplong Mondot 2000 come in? The standard bottling is 750ml, though magnums (1.5L) and other large formats may exist from this vintage depending on availability.

Is Troplong Mondot 2000 worth the price? Troplong Mondot positions as a premium to high-premium Saint-Émilion, and the 2000 vintage — widely regarded as one of Bordeaux's greatest modern years — commands prices reflecting both critical acclaim and scarcity. A 96-point Parker score and over two decades of successful aging justify its standing among serious collectors and drinkers seeking mature Right Bank Bordeaux.

Why Troplong Mondot 2000?

The 2000 vintage is one of the defining wines of Troplong Mondot's modern era, earning 96 points from Robert Parker and strong marks from Jancis Robinson (17.5/20) and René Gabriel (19/20). Its terroir — the apex of the Saint-Émilion appellation with incomparable soil complexity and late-harvested fruit — gives it a character no neighboring estate replicates. Now fully developed, this bottle captures the intersection of an exceptional vintage and a singular hilltop vineyard at peak maturity. For collectors and drinkers who value provenance, critical validation, and drinking window, few Right Bank wines from 2000 deliver at this level of completeness.