La Mondotte (BIO-ORGANIC) - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2022

Alexandre Ma

97

byAlexandre Mathe3/10/2025

The limestone soil of Château La Mondotte seems tailor-made for the 2022 vintage. The sweet berry aromas on the nose contrast sharply with the robust structure upon tasting. The entire experience is like watching a captivating stage play. Rich fruit notes of black plum, bayberry, cherry, and black goji berries exude elegance against a backdrop of violet. The initial gentleness explores the palate before transforming into a limestone wall, spreading like an endless Great Wall in the mouth. It is the so-called “Messenger of Limestone” and an enduring monument to the greatness of Saint-Émilion.

The Wine Cellar Insider

98

byJeff Levethe3/4/2025

La Mondotte

Jeb DUNNUCK

98

byJeb Dunnuckthe2/28/2025

Another absolute stunner from the Right Bank in the vintage, the 2022 La Mondotte just about jumps out of the glass with its intense yet also complex and elegant profile carrying pure cassis and black raspberry fruit, some crushed stone and violet nuances, medium to full body, ultra-fine tannins, and just awesome length on the finish. It has the inherent richness and power of the vintage yet is seamless, graceful, and just incredibly compelling. Its purity is off the charts. You can safely enjoy bottles today, yet I would still do my best to hide them in the cellar for 7-8 years if you can. It will certainly have 2-3 decades over overall longevity.

Yvesbeck.wine

98

byYves Beckthe2/25/2025

La subtilité que La Mondotte affichait déjà en primeurs, n'est pas que confirmée, mais plussoyée ! Le bouquet affiche une improbable pluralité où des nuances florales, épicées, fruitées et minérales se côtoient sans qu'aucune prenne le dessus sur les autres. En bouche, le vin suggère de la douceur en attaque, mais la salinité prend le dessus et recadre les ambitions de charme en les confiant aux tannins qui n'en demandaient pas autant. Parfaitement structuré, le vin cumule énergie, tempérament, puissance et profondeur. Finale saline, persistante et salivante. Il ira loin, ce jeune homme ! 2028-2057 98/100

Vinous

95

byNeal Martinthe2/12/2025

The 2022 La Mondotte presents a poised and focused bouquet with blackberry and bilberry fruit, touches of licorice and pencil box notes from the Cabernet Franc. It shows fine delineation. The palate is fresh and taut on entry with a slightly powdery texture, good vigor and a generous sprinkling of white pepper toward the finish that lingers in the mouth. This precise La Mondotte boasts impressive persistence, leaving the tongue tingling 30 seconds after the wine departs.

Jamessuckling.com

99

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2025

This is so floral with violets and dried rose petals on the nose as well as raspberries and blueberries. Medium-bodied, it has very fine tannins that grow in the finish, giving a salty and chalky impression. Positive austerity at the end. A cooler, higher energy La Mondotte. Wow. Drink after 2029 but already fascinating to taste.

Vinous

97

byAntonio Gallonithe1/28/2025

The 2022 La Mondotte is another heady wine in this range from the Neipperg family. Inky dark fruit, gravel, pencil shavings, iron, sage and scorched earth infuse the 2022 with notable intensity and tons of brooding, somber character. Readers will have to be patient, as this is a potent, structured Saint-Émilion. I would not plan on opening a bottle anytime soon. The 2022 is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, so a bit more Franc than in some recent years. This spent 35 days on the skins followed by 16 months in French oak, 40% new. It's a superb edition of this wine made from one of the most distinctive sites in the appellation.

Wine Spectator

96

byJames Molesworththe12/9/2024

Rich and nicely layered, with steeped blackberry and black currant forming the core, while singed alder, black tea and warm earth accents fill in liberally throughout. The long, beguiling finish reveals a subtle chalky underpinning as a violet notes chimes lengthily. A very poised wine. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2026 through 2042. —J.M.

Decanter.com

96

byGeorgina Hindlethe5/25/2023

Intensely floral and perfumed, rich, open and generous - quite intense though, smells a bit ripe and alcoholic. Bold but precise, this has a nice depth and density to the plush, ripe blackcurrant and black cherry fruit. Lovely sharp vein, mineral with bite and tang, slightly strict and tense on the one hand but soft, smooth, round and chewy on the other giving a push-pull of power and vibrancy. Clearly concentrated and powerful but holds interest and will age very well. Quite massy but I love the juicy core and raised acidity that gives it life. Mineral, salty, graphite and stony-laced tannins leave the lasting impression creating a moreish aftertaste. Fresh and finessed, but strong, broad and intense. Yield of 45hl/ha. 40% new oak barrels.

Alexandre Ma

96-98

byAlexandre Mathe5/17/2023

The limestone soil of Château La Mondotte seems tailor-made for the 2022 vintage. The sweet berry aromas on the nose contrast sharply with the robust structure upon tasting. The entire experience is like watching a captivating stage play. Rich fruit notes of black plum, bayberry, cherry, and black goji berries exude elegance against a backdrop of violet. The initial gentleness explores the palate before transforming into a limestone wall, spreading like an endless Great Wall in the mouth. It is the so-called "Messenger of Limestone" and an enduring monument to the greatness of Saint-Émilion.

Vinous

93-95

byNeal Martinthe5/17/2023

The 2022 La Mondotte was picked 3 to 22 September at 45hL/ha and matured in 40% new oak. It doesn't quite have the charm of the Canon-la-Gaffelière at the moment, though a pleasant oyster shell note percolates through. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, fresh and quite elegant. Tart red fruit toward the linear finish, a dash of spice on the aftertaste. Delicious.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

94

byJane Ansonthe5/16/2023

Fresh flowers of lilies, peonies and roses on the opening aromatics, heading towards cherry pit and rapberry puree fruits, this works within the vintage but gives quite a different expression of it, with nuance and charm. Ludovic de Niepperg winemaker, who previously worked at Harlan in Napa before returning to the family estates. 40% new oak, 45hl/h yield, harvest Septmber 3 to 23. Certified organic since 2014, no till farming since 2022. An estate sat between Troplong Mondot and Tertre Roteboeuf, on silt-sand and clay soils above limestone mother rock, with vines aged between 30 and 60 years old.

matthewjukes.com

19

byMatthew Jukesthe5/15/2023

The Wine Independent

95-97

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/15/2023

The 2022 La Mondotte is made up of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc with a pH of 3.48. Yields were 45 hl/ha, and it is aging in 40% new oak. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a bit of swirling to bring out notes of plum preserves, blackberry preserves, and fruit cake, leading to suggestions of Indian spices, unsmoked cigars, and iron ore. The medium to full-bodied palate is tightly wound with black and blue fruit layers, framed by fine-grained tannins and great tension, finishing long and with great purity.

Yvesbeck.wine

97-98

byYves Beckthe5/10/2023

Beaucoup de finesse, de richesse, de subtilité. Il me semble moins extravagant qu'à l'accoutumée, ce qui est de bon augure pour la complexité. Nuances florales avec des parfums de pivoines suivies de myrtilles et d'une rafraîchissante note de menthe. Le vin est rond, souple, invitant, et doté de tannins suaves. Finalement une tension bienvenue s'installe en finale et crée une excellente synergie entre ampleur et vivacité. Un vin charmant, convaincant, abouti et persistant. Beaucoup d'énergie en finale, et c'est bien là que le vin pose les jalons et souligne la fraîcheur et la performance du terroir.

Bettane & Desseauve

96-97

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/10/2023

Robe profonde, avec des accents floraux et cette bouche sculpturale et suave dotée d’un grain bien étiré. Une mondotte à la fois terrienne et aérienne dotée d’une finale d’une grande fraîcheur.

Jeb DUNNUCK

94-96

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/10/2023

Coming from pure limestone soils just above Château Pavie, the 2022 La Mondotte is inky hued and medium to full-bodied, with a concentrated yet surprisingly supple, elegant profile. Yields were healthy in the Comtes von Neipperg lineup of wines, and I think that contributes to the more open, supple, elegant style here. Nevertheless, it's beautifully textured, has good concentration, ripe tannins, and tons of limestone character on the finish. This beautiful, layered, elegant Saint-Emilion will be drinkable right out of the gate yet still evolve gracefully.

Vinous

95-97

byAntonio Gallonithe5/9/2023

The 2022 La Mondotte is complex, vibrant and beautifully layered. Inky dark fruit, graphite, lavender, dried herbs and bittersweet chocolate abound in a Mondotte that impresses with its energy and vibrancy. A very early start to harvest and a pulled back approach in the cellar yielded a Mondotte that is wonderfully dynamic in its presence. Drinking window : 2030-2052

The Wine Cellar Insider

97-99

byJeff Levethe5/5/2023

Deeply colored, the wine is concentrated, powerful, long, rich and intense. The fruits coat your palate with its layers of black and dark red fruits. The tannins are ripe. the fruits are sweet, lush, and opulent, as well as vibrant and elegant. The lengthy finish balances its mineral driven side with its power and freshness. The wine blends 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc, 14% ABV. The harvest took place September 3 - September 9. 2027-2060.

Wine Advocate

93-95

byWilliam Kelleythe5/2/2023

The 2022 La Mondotte is deep and concentrated, unwinding in the glass with brooding aromas of wild berries, licorice, violets and black truffle. Full-bodied, ample and layered, it's deep and youthfully introverted, its concentrated core of fruit girdled by lively acids and sweet, beautifully powdery tannins. 93 - 95+

Jamessuckling.com

97-98

byJames Sucklingthe4/19/2023

Blackberries and blueberries with chalkboard and dark earth aromas. Flowers, too. Lead pencil. Full-bodied and very deep in the palate, which is reserved and texturally sophisticated. Chalky, too. Silky and very polished. 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc. From organically grown grapes.