Château Bellevue Mondotte - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2017 b5952cb1c3ab96cb3c8c63cfb3dccaca

Jeb DUNNUCK

93-95 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe6/12/2018

Coming from older vines east of Pavie Decesse (in slightly more clay soils), the 2017 Bellevue Mondotte is a powerful, concentrated 2017 that offers fabulous notes of blueberries, flowers, and violets. One of the more broad, expansive, and sexy wines in the vintage, with terrific purity of fruit, it should round into form with just short-term cellaring and cruise for two decades.

Vinifera

92 / 100

byJacques Perrinthe5/28/2018

Nez riche et légèrement confit, sur les fruits noirs, le graphite. Gros volume de bouche qui dévoile un vin sphérique et rond, dense, ample et velouté.

Vinous

95-97 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/15/2018

Powerful, dark and explosive, the 2017 Bellevue Mondotte bristles with the energy and tension that is such a signature of this tiny 1.5 hectare Saint-Émilion cru. Graphite, smoke, crème de cassis and menthol race out of the glass. As always, Bellevue Mondotte is a tannic, searing Saint-Émilion with bracing acids and tons of structure. It is also one of the most fascinating wines in Gérard Perse's lineup.

The Wine Cellar Insider

94-96 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/11/2018

Smoky black and blue fruit, licorice and spice box allure create the aromatic profile. Deep in color with a supple texture and ripe, sweet, opulent plums, this wine finishes with a spicy, mineral character sustaining the plethora of ready fruit. Produced from a blend of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine reached 14.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.47. Yields were quite low at only 16 hectoliters per hectare this vintage.

Vinous

89-91 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/1/2018

The 2017 Bellevue-Mondotte was picked on 27 September like the Pavie-Decesse. It has a very deep color, almost opaque. The bouquet is difficult to fathom, inky and high-toned, nothing volatile but it feels rather monotone. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin, quite bold and assertive in style, impressive in depth but it is missing the finesse and refinement I would seek on the creamy-textured finish. In an odd way I find this reminiscent of how Pavie used to show a decade ago, but whereas Pavie has moved on, Bellevue-Mondotte seems unwilling to just take its foot off of the accelerator.

Wine Advocate

96-98 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/27/2018

There was no frost in this vineyard in 2017, due to its elevation. Made up of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the very deep purple-black colored 2017 Bellevue Mondotte has a seriously earthy character—molten rocks—with suggestions of truffles and fertile soil over a core of crème de cassis and plum preserves, plus a hint of camphor. The palate is medium to full-bodied, concentrated, intense and powerful with firm, grainy tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing long.

Decanter.com

93 / 100

byJane Ansonthe4/25/2018

Up on the plateau, this was spared the ravages of frost but still only yielded 16hl/ha. It has the Perse signature punch of fruit, then the limestone breaks through (there is also a touch more clay here than at Pavie Decesse). The punch almost hides the fruit at first, but it really does finish beautifully and has amazing persistency. The 50-year-old vines have produced a wine that will age extremely well. Tasted several times. 3.58pH.

Drinking Window 2026 - 2038

WeinWisser

17 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/25/2018

Jean-Marc QUARIN

15,75 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/17/2018

Wine Enthusiast

93-95 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/17/2018

This wine has great fruit, minerality and a dark, dense texture. It is powerful, rich and concentrated, just hinting at its great potential fruitiness. Give it many years, and certainly try to hold until at least 2025.

Jamessuckling.com

92-93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/6/2018

A chewy 2017 with lots of wet-earth and dark-berry character. Some bark, too. Full body, a medium center palate and a flavorful finish. Wait and see how it comes together.

Wine Spectator

91-94 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/4/2018

An enticing red, with succulent fig and blackberry compote flavors at the core, this has a shot of flashy toast, which is well-integrated. A neat graphite streak shows on the finish.—J.M.