2014 Tronquoy-Lalande, St-Estèphe

Another big, dark St.-Estèphe, but in spite of the rich body and some perceptible alcohol, there is also a cool, minty note. Slightly sweet finish in spite of all the tannins. Spice comes through at the end.

This is easily one of the most compelling buys in aged Bordeaux on today’s market. It’s a long-time K&L favorite—both the producer and the vintage—a legit 95-pointer from a superb St-Estèphe year, and crafted by one of the most talented winemaking teams in the world. With more than a decade of age and impeccable provenance, it offers a rare combination of maturity, pedigree, and serious quality. Now over ten years old, the 2014 vintage from the northern Médoc continues to impress, showing the kind of poise and structure that define great Bordeaux. Few producers captured the vintage’s potential with as much finesse as the team at Montrose. While the Grand Vin rightly earns accolades as one of the wines of the year, their work at Château Tronquoy-Lalande is equally compelling. This wine is a masterclass in precision and character—deeply fruited, with layers of ripe black and red berries, subtle notes of spice and dried herbs, and a savory undertone that has emerged beautifully with age. Silky tannins and a fine, polished texture round it all out. There’s remarkable complexity and energy here, and the wine is drinking beautifully now with a long, long way to go. Opportunities where maturity, pedigree, and value align aren’t exactly rare in Bordeaux, but the degree to which this wine delivers on all three makes the 2014 Tronquoy-Lalande a truly exceptional buy.