Château Troplong Mondot, 2024

"Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening. Fine black cherry fruit, blackberry confit, subtle herbal savouriness, with delicate orange zest in the background, inviting bouquet. Juicy, elegant, tightly meshed, fine acid structure, ripe, supporting tannins, a silky, almost red berry style, chalky minerality, shows great length, sure maturity and certain ageing potential."

"This has the Troplong terroir and intensity visually, immediately clear, with violets, squid ink, slate, roses, liquorice root. Love the chalky oyster shell salinity on the finish, delivers exceptional balance and lift, with interesting texture that is grippy with pumice stone tannins. No chaptilisation, because this is a location with natural density and you really see it here. Brilliantly silky, this has depth and yet is savoury, touch of whole cluster winemaking. 55% new oak, with 19% oak casks and the rest one year old."