Château Troplong Mondot
Château Troplong Mondot
#PROPERTY: History & Terroir
History of Château Trolong Mondot
Château Troplong Mondot, the jewel of Saint-Émilion, sits majestically atop Côte Pavie, overlooking the region's peaceful, wine-growing landscape. Its history began in 1745, when Abbé de Sèze laid the first stones of the estate on the Mondot vineyard. The château acquired its current name in 1850, when Raymond Troplong, an influential jurist, bought the property and associated his surname with it, a common practice at the time.
The modern era of Château Troplong Mondot began in earnest with the Valette family, renowned Bordeaux merchants, who took possession of the estate in 1920. But it was in 1981, under the visionary management of Christine Valette and her husband Xavier Pariente, that the château underwent a spectacular transformation. Their passion and commitment enabled the estate to rise through the ranks, earning it the prestigious title of Premier Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Émilion in 2006. Christine Valette-Pariente and her husband Xavier Pariente have managed the estate together since 1980, ensuring the excellence of powerful, finely-structured wines with full, complex tannins and a nose of truffles and blackberries.
Owner of Château Trolong Mondot
On July 6, 2017, the Valette-Pariente family sold the family estate, classified Premier Grand Cru B de Saint-Émilion, to French reinsurance group Scor. Under former owner Xavier Pariente, a new general manager was announced imminently, with a transition period provided by himself. Today, Château Troplong Mondot begins a new chapter in its history with the arrival of Aymeric de Gironde, previously Managing Director of Cos d'Estournel, now Chairman of the estate's Management Board following its acquisition by French reinsurance giant SCOR, based in Paris. The amount of the transaction remains confidential, but Scor SE remains a major player on the global reinsurance scene.
Château Troplong Mondot, the Hotel Rooms
In addition to its exceptional wines, Château Troplong Mondot stands out for its distinguished hospitality. Since 2010, the estate has been offering first-class hospitality with its luxurious guest rooms, inviting visitors to a total immersion in the world of wine. La Maison des Vignes, nestled in the heart of the Troplong Mondot terroir, just a 20-minute walk from the center of Saint-Émilion, offers a lounge and two double rooms for absolute relaxation. L'Atelier offers a breathtaking view and comfortable space, while Edouard, with its warm ambience and accessibility, seduces visitors. Finally, Le Clocher offers a panoramic view of the monolithic church tower, inviting unforgettable moments of contemplation.
Château Troplong Mondot terroir
The terroir of Château Troplong Mondot is a one-of-a-kind natural wonder. Situated at an altitude of 106 meters and benefiting from ideal exposure, the vineyard stretches over exceptionally rich soils, combining oily clay and limestone rock, interspersed with fragments of flint and limestone. These geological features give the estate a distinctive and precious character.
The combination of these elements provides the vineyard with remarkable natural drainage, essential for ensuring optimal balance in the vines. What's more, sunshine conditions are perfect, favoring gradual, harmonious ripening of the grapes. This ideal environment is particularly conducive to growing Merlot, the estate's emblematic grape variety.
Combining mainly 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc, the estate's 43 hectares produce wines of exceptional quality. These wines are distinguished by their freshness, minerality and delicacy, perfectly reflecting the essence of the Troplong Mondot terroir.
As a result, Troplong Mondot has established itself as an essential reference in the Saint-Émilion appellation, offering wines of incomparable finesse and elegance, which delight the most demanding palates around the world.
Château Troplong Mondot: A Jewel Nestled on the Heights of Mondot
Perched majestically at an altitude of 100 metres on the Mondot hilltop, Château Troplong Mondot stands out with natural elegance, nestled on an exceptional terroir that gives it a unique personality. This prestigious estate is enveloped by the limestone plateau that surrounds the village and the steep hillside that slopes down to the famous Côte de Pavie. From its heights, the château offers a breathtaking panorama. On one side, the gently curving hills evoke the graceful movement of waves, while on the other, the green valley and picturesque village of Saint-Émilion stretch as far as the eye can see. The environment is a living tableau, where vines mingle with groves, carefully trimmed hedges, winding paths and stone walls steeped in history. It's an enchanting place that invites contemplation and exploration, offering visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the striking beauty of a landscape shaped by centuries of winemaking tradition and passion.
Château Trolong Mondot vineyard
Beneath the skies of Saint-Émilion lies a treasure trove of diversity and tradition: the vineyards of Château Troplong Mondot. With twenty-five distinct sub-terroirs and a palette of three carefully selected grape varieties, this vineyard is a patchwork of viticultural riches. Its relief, varying over several dozen meters, culminates at the highest point in the region, at 110 meters altitude, offering majestic views over the surrounding countryside.
Covering 43 hectares in a single block, the Château Troplong Mondot vineyard is one of the largest in the appellation. With an overwhelming majority of Merlot (85%), accompanied by Cabernet Sauvignon (13%) and Cabernet Franc (2%), it produces wines of incomparable complexity and elegance.
But this vineyard is much more than just a parcel of vines. It's a carefully preserved ecosystem, where a flourishing biodiversity has thrived for over two decades. Hedgerows, forests and low walls are home to a variety of wildlife, testifying to the estate's enduring commitment to nature.
Château Troplong Mondot has a rich history dating back to its origins in the 18th century. Founded in 1700, the château itself was erected in 1745, quickly becoming a symbol of the region's winemaking excellence. Its name is closely linked to that of Raymond-Théodore Troplong, whose legacy shaped the identity and layout of the estate. His nephew, Edouard, added their name to that of the site, thus sealing the destiny of Troplong Mondot.
Over the years, a number of charismatic figures have left their mark on the history of the estate. Christine Valette, in particular, embodies the spirit of freedom, determination and elegant generosity that continues to characterize the estate today.
Finally, the vineyards of Château Troplong Mondot are the fruit of a deep commitment to the environment. Since 2007, Lydia and Claude Bourguignon have carried out in-depth analyses to ensure sustainable soil development. Environmentally-friendly practices are passed down from generation to generation, paving the way for a future where quality and sustainability go hand in hand.
#WINES FROM THE DOMAIN: Appellations and Cuvées
The Saint-Émilion appellation
The Margaux appellation, located in Bordeaux's Médoc region, is renowned for its exceptional red wines. It benefits from a unique terroir with well-drained gravelly soils and a climate tempered by the Atlantic, ideal for growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Margaux wines are distinguished by their elegance, aromatic complexity and silky tannins, with aromas of red and black fruits, flowers and spices. Home to prestigious crus such as Château Margaux and Château Palmer, this appellation symbolizes the excellence and tradition of Bordeaux winemaking.
Discover our full selection of Saint-Émilion appellation wines
The Cuvées of Château Troplong Mondot
Château Troplong Mondot Saint-Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classé
Mondot Saint-Emilion (second wine)
Château Troplong Mondot, a symbol of excellence and refinement, embodies the spirit of great wines. Powerful, concentrated and marked by a distinctive minerality, the wines of this estate express the full richness of their terroir with incomparable elegance and finesse. Designed to age gracefully, they reveal subtle aromas of spice, blackberry and truffle over time. This inimitable signature is the fruit of the hard work and vision of Christine Valette, whose legacy lives on in every bottle. Since the legendary 1990 vintage, which received an exceptional 98/100 rating from Robert Parker, Château Troplong Mondot wines have been regularly acclaimed for their excellence and consistency.
Le Mondot, the Château's second wine, is no match for its prestigious elder brother. Renowned for its suppleness and elegance, it has established itself as a cru in its own right, capturing the very essence of its terroir. Under the guidance of cellar master Jean-Pascal Schmidt, each cuvée is crafted with precision to reflect the singularity of each parcel. Tailor-made vinification and meticulous blending guarantee the quality and consistency of each vintage. Aged in oak barrels for 12 to 24 months, depending on the characteristics of the vintage, Mondot wines embody Château Troplong Mondot's unwavering commitment to excellence.
Always striving for perfection, Château Troplong Mondot sets itself new challenges: to produce some of the finest wines in the world. A bold ambition for this Grand Cru, which, with its heritage and determination, continues to write the finest pages in Saint-Émilion's wine history.
The best vintages of Château Trolong Mondot; 1988, 1990, 2000, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023
How much does Château Trolong Mondot cost?
The price of a bottle of Château Trolong Mondot varies according to several factors, including the vintage, the cuvée, its rarity and market demand. For all online purchases, explore our site to discover a wide range of Château Trolong Mondot selections
iN BRIEF: Figures
Region : Bordeaux
Appellation : Saint-Émilion
Surface area : 43 hectares (100% Red)
Red grape varieties : 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet franc
Vine culture : Reasoned