La Mondotte (BIO-ORGANIC) - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2023

Vinous

92

byNeal Martinthe2/1/2026

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.

Jamessuckling.com

98

byJames Sucklingthe1/27/2026

Sensational aromas of black olive skin, blueberries, iron, lead pencil and blackberries. Some mushrooms too. The intense, chalky, limestone character expands the medium-bodied palate, showing lots of dark-berry layers. Long and tight in the finish. Chewy at the end from the salty, minerally undertone. A blend of 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc. Best after 2028.

My Bettane + Desseauve

95

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/15/2024

Tannin épaulé et bouche d’une grande ampleur, propre au cru. Il impressionne aujourd’hui par la qualité de sa texture et l’aromatique suivra dans les prochains mois.

Yvesbeck.wine

96-98

byYves Beckthe5/14/2024

Wenn Subtilität und Kraft Seite an Seite stehen und die Stärke nicht die Oberhand gewinnt, handelt es sich unweigerlich um einen großen Wein. Der Mondotte beweist dies auf brillante Weise mit seinen kreidigen Nuancen, gepaart mit Noten von Süßholz und schwarzen Beeren. Der Wein überrascht mit seinem Auftakt, bei dem er ein geradlinigeres Profil als üblich annimmt, um im weiteren Verlauf an Breite zu gewinnen. Der Wein ist kräftig, lebhaft und wird von einer Spannung gehalten, die seine saftige und animierende Seite betont und vor allem eine sehr gute Kellerreife verspricht. Ein muskulöser, prägnanter, tiefgründiger Mondotte, der bereit ist, einigen Jahrzehnten zu trotzen.

Jeb DUNNUCK

94-96

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/13/2024

A more Merlot-dominated blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 La Mondotte has a semi-opaque hue to go with beautiful aromatics of black raspberry and bright cherry-like fruit as well as some classic graphite, chalky minerality, and floral notes. It's another medium to full-bodied, seamless, beautifully balanced red from this team that has fine tannins and an overriding sense of freshness and elegance.

The Wine Independent

94-96

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/7/2024

The 2023 La Mondotte is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a little swirling to bring out evocative scents of stewed plums, black cherry compote, and cedar chest plus hints of sassafras and dark chocolate. The medium-bodied palate delivers energetic, tight-knit black fruit layers with minerally accents and great tension, framed by firm grainy tannins, finishing long and lifted. The blend is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.

The Drinks Business

95-97

byColin Haythe5/7/2024

La Mondotte (Saint Émilion; 80% Merlot; 20% Cabernet Franc; a final yield of 37 hl/ha; 13.5% alcohol; tasted at Canon La Gaffelière with Stephane and Ludovic von Neipperg). Gorgeous aromatically, this is delicate, subtle and intimate – inviting you in rather than coming outwards to greet you. Violets. Peonies. Black cherry. Blackberry. Graphite. On the palate, this is rich and broad and beautifully composed – very La Mondotte but with a new grace. This garden vineyard grows wonderful fruit and beautiful flowers. Beautifully succulent. Intensely sapid. Powerful but all in finesse. An exquisite composition. A total harmony. Truly memorable. 

Vinous

95-97

byAntonio Gallonithe4/30/2024

The 2023 La Mondotte is fabulous. In fact, the 2023 is one of the best Mondottes I can remember tasting. A wine of vertical, explosive energy, La Mondotte dazzles from the very first taste. Inky dark fruit, mocha, lavender, new leather, spice and dried herbs build as this dynamic, complex Saint-Émilion shows off its compelling personality. Superb.

Vinous

92-94

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2024

The 2023 La Mondotte was picked from September 19 to 30 at 37hL/ha with a 35-day cuvaison, aged in 40% new oak. Cut from a similar cloth to its stablemate, Canon-la-Gaffelière, this is mineral-driven and strict, much stonier than previous vintages, a touch of blood orange emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. It’s a little juicier than the Canon-la-Gaffelière, with moderate and a slightly citrusy finish. This is a classy and perhaps uncharacteristically understated La Mondotte.

Falstaff

95

byPeter Moserthe4/29/2024

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, attrac- tive bouquet. Deep, juicy, ripe cherries and blackberries, complex and elegant style, fresh and lively with a mineral finish, good length, certain ageing potential.

Alexandre Ma

95-97

byAlexandre Mathe4/28/2024

Wine Advocate

92-94

byWilliam Kelleythe4/26/2024

I typically have a weakness for Canon-la-Gaffelière in the von Niepperg portfolio, but this year it's the 2023 La Mondotte, a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, that stands out as the highlight of the range. Revealing aromas of dark berries, licorice and petals, framed by creamy new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and harmonious, with good depth at the core, supple tannin and a penetrating finish.

Jamessuckling.com

97-98

byJames Sucklingthe4/25/2024

A dense yet agile wine with blackberry, blueberry, raspberry and citrus aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with fine tannins that spread across the palate, running the length of the wine and helping it to last for minutes on the finish. 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc.

Vertdevin

98

byJonathan Chicheportichethe4/24/2024