This is stunning. Troplong never has trouble conjuring up wonderfully rich fruit, but here it is plump and dense without being pumped up. The tannins are chewy rather than chalky, but the elegance of the vintage is unmistakable, and the rich chocolate flavours are dusted with mint. There is a very pretty salinity on the finish that lasts for minutes. I had a fascinating visit here at the start of the week, and retasted several times as this is a wine that I sometimes have trouble understanding. My main takeout is that the majority of the richness here is found naturally in the terroir - limestone on the plateau but with cool clay over the top, which explains why they are such late harvesters. But there are always winemaking and viticultural choices coming into play in any wine, and here there are adjustments being made to bring out a more finely wrought version of what is always a high impact and successful wine. Yields are higher this year, up at 48hl/ha, which helps, as does the style of the vintage and quieter extraction in the cellar, but Troplong remains true to itself. 90% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc.

Tar and blackberries here on the palate with very polished tannins and dense, beautiful fruit. Tight and centered. Wow. Can it be better than the 2015? We will see.

Beautifully pure and expressive, with creamy-textured cassis, raspberry and boysenberry puree notes streaming through, gilded by a violet note and backed by refined minerality on the finish. There’s a backdrop of alluring spice-infused toast, but the fruit takes center stage here.—J.M.

Abord capiteux, opaque, serré, jus de mûre profond, tanins sucrés, abondants et fins : c’est bien le style Troplong. On est pourtant loin du hiératique 2015. Séduisantes nuances de goût, sa trame tannique souve aine se met au service du fruit.

Extrem dunkles Purpur mit schwarzer Mitte und violettem Rand. Konzentriertes Bouquet mit reifen Heidelbeeren und verführerischen Amarenakirschen, dahinter Mokkacreme und Hotundergetee. Am kräftigen Gaumen mit sehr dichter Textur und massivem Tannin gerüst, dazu reife Pflaumen und Gewürzkuchen, wie immer am Limit extrahiert. Langes Finale mit schwarzem Johannisbeer gelee und Holunderessenz.

Encore dominé par son élevage en fût, ce vin dévoile de discrètes notes de cassis et de mûre, de pain grillé et de foin coupé. En bouche, il apparaît dense et charnu, bâti sur des tanins solides mais enrobés. Belle persistance aromatique sur des notes fumées. Patience.