Now reaching 20 years old, the 1996 Troplong-Mondot has a rather staid bouquet that is missing a sense of animation and terroir expression. It kind of just "sits there." The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannin, a touch of chocolate and candied orange peel, nicely weighted in the mouth with a little more freshness on the finish than exhibited by the nose. This was not a great Saint Emilion vintage and this Troplong-Mondot cannot transcend that, but it gives modest drinking pleasure. Tasted July 2016.

Plenty of crushed berry and spice on the nose. Full-bodied, with full, slightly drying tannins, but good berry and chocolate flavors on the finish. Perhaps slightly overwooded. Best after 2001. -JS

Dense aroma, with reserves of concentrated fruits. An impressive palate, with substantial flavours of plums and berries, backed by smoky oak.