Château La Mondotte 2023

Deep dark in color and on the nose, with ripe, generous fruit and sensational, powdery, saline tannins. The wine is powerful yet elegant, a fascinating dance between maturity and freshness. Top class.

The 2023 La Mondotte predictably has a little more ripeness and vigor on the nose compared to the Canon-la-Gaffelière. Lifted raspberry and blackcurrant scents, violet and incense emerging with time. The oak is neatly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, quite linear in style though, a bit like Canon-la-Gaffelière, it seems to just cut away without so much as a bye-your-leave toward the finish vis-à-vis previous vintages.

The intensity in the aromatic profile allows you to enjoy all of its flowers, cherries, licorice, espresso, and spice tones with ease. The palate delivers a bright, fresh, vibrant profile packed with marine-influenced deep, red berries with their understated sense of elegance and energy. The wine blends 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2029-2055.

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, brightening on the rim. Delicate hints of violets, fine ripe cherry fruit, some nougat and fine oak, pleasant savouriness, attractive bouquet. Deep, juicy, ripe cherries and blackberries, complex and elegant style, fresh and lively with a mineral finish, good length, certain ageing potential.

80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 37 hl/ha, 13.5% vol. Captivating blueberry-scented bouquet, beguiling violet perfume, licorice and blueberry jelly. On the second nose, red cassis and a lush iris aroma. On the sublime palate, vibrant verve, tightly knit tannic frame, dark mineral core and a well-trained body. In the concentrated, long-lasting finish, small black berries and profound terroir spice paired with a refined saline note.

Score: 92–94. Rich and opulent, it reveals ripe, hedonistic, sweet fruit, yet with a certain freshness that comes through. A lively acidity energizes the palate and enhances the sense of roundness and richness. The finish brings a lovely indulgent touch of mocha.

La Mondotte’s bouquet above all emphasizes freshness, with floral nuances that either counterbalance its more open, expressive side or, depending on the perspective, complement it. The wine impresses with its density and its almost monolithic, commanding stature. It is serene and self-assured, yet eager to showcase its qualities. The tannins are compact and reveal themselves late, accompanied by a sharp, incisive acidity that creates an exceptional balance. A brilliant wine.

The nose is pleasantly precise, forthright, racy, and airy in its velvety texture—taut and powerful. It reveals notes of blackberry and dense small fruits, and more subtly violet, joined by hints of blond tobacco, fine touches of fresh sweet pepper, as well as an almost Mediterranean garrigue nuance and discreet spicy accents. The palate is beautifully mineral, fruity, and balanced, offering accuracy, tension, roundness, suavity, a certain suppleness, and an almost chiselled grain. It displays notes of pulpy/juicy blackberry and violet, and, more subtly, bright blackcurrant, allied to touches of bright blue plum, fleshy/juicy red berries, hints of cornflower, tonka bean, and chocolate, along with a discreet hint of sweet blond tobacco. The tannins are plush, sapid, iodized, and gourmand, with a lovely chalky edge. Appealing plushness on the energetic finish, with a charming multi-layered complexity. Lovely freshness and minerality, with a fine touch of pulpy/explosive blueberry and graphite.

Smells amazing – cool blueberries and cherries, milk chocolate. Smooth and round, tart and bright, almost searing, lots of acidity, then powdery tannins make their way in with a chalky minerality. But this has some softness and charm; it’s juicy and clean. It softens slightly towards the finish, just tapering, missing a touch more persistence, but it’s nicely pristine with lots of layers and depth in terms of texture. Just a bit coiled right now. Should be great in time.

Pure and unadorned, with a remarkably sleek feel to its damson plum and cherry puree notes. The long, violet- and iris-accented finish shows a flinty tug at the very end that leaves lingering tension. Merlot, Cabernet Franc. Best from 2027 through 2040. 1,350 cases made.