2017 Château La Mondotte

The 2017 La Mondotte is absolutely exquisite, just as it was from barrel. In 2017, La Mondotte stands out for its aromatic intensity, nuance and total translucency. Sage, mint, licorice, plum, chocolate, spice and mineral undertones all grace this striking, beautifully nuanced Saint-Émilion made with 30% Cabernet Franc in addition to its Merlot base. More than anything else, I really admire the wine's precision and tension. The 2017 is such a gorgeous Mondotte.

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 La Mondotte explodes with beguiling scents of wild blueberries, black raspberries and warm plums plus nuances of lilacs, tilled soil, fallen leaves and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-filling, crunchy blue and black fruits with a wonderfully plush texture and loads of freshness, finishing long and savory.

The 2017 La Mondotte was bottled without fining on 3 June 2019 after 15 months in 60% new oak. It has a lovely, pure, almost understated bouquet with red cherries, raspberry coulis and light rose petal aromas, almost with a Burgundy-like purity. The palate is medium-bodied with supple and fine tannins. The acidity is very well judged, an elegant and refined La Mondotte with a pinch of clove and white pepper on the finish. Maybe not a long-term La Mondotte, but simply delicious.