Château Troplong-Mondot
Once part of the same vineyards as the illustrious Château Pavie, Troplong-Mondot sits adjacent to one of St-Emilion’s biggest players. Not as well-known but a consistent producer of quality St-Emilion, much of Troplong-Mondot’s success in recent years has been attributed to having consultant oenologist Michel Rolland advising since the 1980s. It was promoted in 2006 to Grand Cru status, reflecting its increasing reputation. The estate itself was established in the late 1800s when a parcel of vines was bought by Raymond-Theodore Troplong and remained in the family until 2017, when it was bought by French insurance firm, SCOR. The vines are planted at a relatively high (for St-Emilion) elevation on the hill of Mondot, allowing for a cooler micro-climate than much of the appellation. Aymeric de Gironde took control of the estate during the 2017 vintage, and has drastically changed the style of the estate, picking earlier, and crafting elegant wines that are a departure from the rich, inky wines of the Rolland era.