Barrel Sample. Rich and smooth, this is a powerful and concentrated wine. The wine is perfumed and fragrant, with fine dusty tannins and a fresh edge that provides a nice lift to the finish.

This has some exotic ripeness, with açaí berry and loganberry fruit pumping through, carried by substantial brambly tannins and backed by a long, spice- and black tea-infused finish. Shows power and range. (Barrel Tasting)

The 2015 Troplong Mondot is inky black in color. The nose was initially arresting with a carapace of toasty new oak, but it only takes several swirls of the glass for that to dissipate and leave scents of intense black fruit, crème de cassis, spice box and violets. It is verging on "heady" in style, powered along by that Merlot. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe tannin, layers of ripe, sensual, lavish black fruit interlaced with black pepper and clove. The acidity binds everything together, maintains control through to the finish that fans out nicely. It leans towards the hedonistic style of Saint Emilion, but it is not pushed over the edge as I have found in previous recent vintages. What it needs to develop is just the charm and personality of the finest Saint Emilion wines this vintage.