France

Ch. Tronquoy-Lalande

Chateau Tronquoy-Lalande Saint-Estephe

Bordeaux

Saint-Estephe

Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Tronquoy-Lalande slides out with evolved scents of tobacco, new leather, and red loam, with an undercurrent of dried cherries and figs. The medium-bodied palate is firm and chewy, with very little remaining fruit and a hard, dusty finish.

by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Tronquoy comes bounding out with eager-to-please notes of juicy blackberries, Morello cherries, and fresh plums giving way to hints of cloves, forest floor, and damp soil. The medium-bodied palate is light on its feet, with a lively backbone and lightly chewy, approachable tannins, finishing on a minerally note. The blend is 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, and 11% Petit Verdot.

Black cherry and damson fruit, intense, concentrated sweet red liquorice and creamy cappuccino, balanced by bitter chocolate and dried herbs on the finish. This is clearly built to last, and excellent quality, in the character of the vintage. Tasted twice. 30% new oak. Harvest September 7 to 23. 37hl/h yield. First vintage without the 'Lalande' part of the name.

Inside Bordeaux

Bright, lean, savoury, has grip and enjoyable cassis bud, cloves, pomegranate, lemongrass. Pierre Grafeuille came board as director in March 2021, taking over fully from Hervé Berland for harvest. In organic conversion, with certification expected in 2024. 33hl/h yield, harvest September 27 to October 7. 30% new oak, 12% press wine.

Seriously impressive, close to 2016 in feel, richly texured, combining the power of St Estèphe with reserve and pared-back elegance, a ton of black fruits. It remains tight on the finish for now, but the tannins are confident rather than restrictive, suggesting long ageing potential. Higher Cabernet Sauvignon than usual, partly because of the mildew that impacted the Merlot, and partly because the Cabernet Sauvignon reacted so well to the vintage conditions. 3.74ph, harvest September 11 to 28.

The 2019 Tronquoy-Lalande is made from 50% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it slowly unfurls to offers fragrant notes of rose oil, Indian spices, and licorice over a core of creme de cassis and stewed plums, plus a hint of lavender. The full-bodied palate is firm and sturdy, with grainy tannins and plenty of freshness to match the muscular fruit, finishing long and earthy.

The 2018 Tronquoy-Lalande is deep garnet-purple in color. It delivers rambunctious scents of blueberry pie, chocolate-covered cherries, and mulberries, with touches of cassis, unsmoked cigars, and cardamom. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has generous black fruits and velvety tannins, finishing with a spicy kick. 

Still extremely young, majoring on bitter chocolate, liqourice root, cigar box, slate and cassis. Concentrated, not giving much away yet, this still needs another few years in bottle to loosen up the tannic architecture.

The 2014 Tronquoy-Lalande is medium to deep garnet in color. Intense notes of Morello cherries, creme de cassis, and plum preserves spill from the glass, plus touches of mint tea, iron ore, and dried roses. The medium-bodied palate is taut with muscular black fruits and fantastic tension, framed by firm, grainy tannins, finishing long and fragrant. Simply beautiful!

Charming, with an edge of sweetness to the raspberry fruit, touches of smoked earth, undergrowth and mushroom, with gentle tobacco and cigar box. There is pleasure here, but the tannins are soft, and it is fully in the tertiary window. Harvest September 27 to October 12.

Fennel, chocolate, liquorice, this is great quality and has decades ahead, although more closed right now than the 2009. Liquorice, cocoa bean, espresso and blackberry puree, great enjoyment lies ahead, but for now stick with opening its neighbouring vintage.

Old school Tronquoy, this is tasty, easy to drink, well balanced and great value, full on Left Bank character, not hugely concentrated but has spirit, juice and lift, along with fresh brambled fruits, cocoa bean and mint leaf on the finish.

Good depth of colour, soft ruby but still with brilliant reflections. Campfire smoke and grilled almonds on the nose, earthy and very much ready to drink. This has autumnal berry fruits, with an emphasis on cigar box and grilled oak rather than fruits at this point. Definitely one to drink now.

Kona fyller 40 år og hva passer vel bedre enn å feire med en 40-åring fra Bordeaux.

På duft er det mørke bær, lær og jord.
Det er overraskende bra med frukt og en imponerende syre alderen tatt i betraktning.
På smak finner jeg solbær, lær, tobakk og hint av gran. Alltid en risiko med gammel vin, men denne leverer!


2023	No priceNot available	Excellent
2022	No priceNot available	Excellent
2021	No priceNot available	Excellent
2020	No priceNot available	Excellent
2019	No priceNot available	Outstanding

Category	Red wine
Vinmonopolet no.
Producer	Ch. Tronquoy-Lalande
Vintages	2012
Country	France, Bordeaux, Saint-Estephe
Bottle	75 cl

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Acid	%
Sugar	g/l

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