Mondotte - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2009

Wine Advocate

96

byNeal Martinthe1/1/2013

Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. What a brilliant Saint Emilion this is. The 2009 has a very pure Burgundy inspired nose with lifted wild strawberry, Morello and violet notes. It is both feminine and alluring. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins and a cashmere texture. There is patently a lot of extraction here but the natural acidity keeps it perfectly in balance. Suave and sensual as always. Tasted January 2013.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

95

byStephen Tanzerthe7/31/2012

Bright, saturated ruby. Slightly high-toned aromas of blueberry, black raspberry, mocha, violet and minerals. Wonderfully intense and vibrant; dense and seamless without being heavy. The blackberry and violet flavors are energized by a tactile, saline minerality. Remarkably plush, sweet and deep wine, with utterly suave tannins and outstanding palate-staining length. Has huge ripe tannins for extended aging but seems easier to taste than this wine normally is at this early stage owing to its sheer baby fat. Interestingly, I tasted this wine in the same flight as Magdelaine: the Mondotte came across as riper and more massive but both bottles say 14.5% alcohol on the label.

Wine Advocate

100

byRobert Parkerthe2/29/2012

Perfect, the 2009 La Mondotte boasts an inky/black/purple color as well as sumptuous notes of incense, graphite, licorice, black cherries, blackberries, cedar and forest floor. It is extraordinarily thick and voluptuous with a cool climate minerality that gives the wine an uplift and freshness that is surprising in view of its massive fruit level and high extract. The tannins are abundant, but sweet and well-integrated, as are the acidity, alcohol and wood components. An infant at present, this 2009 requires 6-8 years of cellaring and should keep for three decades. This fabulous terroir has been fully exploited by proprietor Stefan von Neipperg and his consulting oenologist, Stephane Derenoncourt, since the debut vintage of 1976. Yields of 18 hectoliters per hectare were ridiculously low in 2009 and the blend is dominated by Merlot (80%) combined with 20% Cabernet Franc.

Jamessuckling.com

98

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2012

Plum pie, with hints of espresso, blueberries and orange peel on the nose. Full body, with velvety tannins and a fruity finish. Wonderful depth of fruit and balance to this young wine. Perhaps the best ever from here. Try in 2018.

Wine Spectator

96

byJames Molesworththe1/18/2012

This is grace and power, delivering stunning Lapsang souchong tea and pain d'épices aromatics, followed by incredibly lush, yet refined blackberry, steeped black currant and dark plum sauce flavors. The long, velvety finish hangs perfectly, with buried minerality giving just the crease for definition. Best from 2015 through 2030. 690 cases made. –JM

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

91-94

byIan D'Agatathe6/30/2010

(80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc cropped at 17 hectoliters per hectare; 100% new oak) Glass-staining inky purple. Intense, heady aromas of dark plum, blackberry jam, candied violet and graphite are a bit too ripe for me. Big and creamy on entry, this boasts terrific palate presence to the luscious, very pure flavors of blackberry and plum complicated by subtler notes of cedar, graphite and ground coffee. The long finish features very good acidity, which nicely extends the ripe fruit and oak flavors. I love this wine's pristine flavors, but this year I noticed its 14.5% alcohol. Clearly, though, it will have many admirers: those who like outsized, superrich wine will no doubt score this version of La Mondotte even higher than I do. The merlot was harvested on October 6 and the cabernet on October 13.

Le Figaro

96-98

byBernard Burtschythe6/30/2010

Ce cru de taille modeste en superficie et suivi par Stéphane Derenoncourt possède l’exceptionnelle densité des 1998, 2000 et 2005, mais le 2009 possède une longueur et surtout une élégance supplémentaires qui lui font passer un nouveau cap en se positionnant en tête des plus grands saint-émilions. De robe sombre, le nez est intense, très aromatique. En bouche, le vin est ample avec une splendide matière et très élégant en finale, le tout est impressionnant de densité et de classe. 80 % merlot, 20 % cabernet-franc. 100 % fût neuf.

WeinWisser

19

byRené Gabrielthe5/17/2010

80% Merlot, 20 % Cabernet Franc, Ertrag: 17 hl/ha. Wuchtiges Bouquet, Cassis, Preiselbeeren, Mokka, exotische Hölzer, kandierte Früchte und Spuren von Himbeerdrops, wirkt trotz der extremen Reife frisch. Ein wahnsinniges Fruchtkonzentrat, das eigentlich im rotbeerigen Bereich bleibt und dann doch irgendwie nach Cassis Schmeckt, noch mehlig und muskulös. Ein Rohling, den der weitere Ausbau noch schleifen wird. 2016-2029

Le Point

16,5-17

byJacques Dupontthe5/6/2010

Fruits noirs, un peu boisé, bouche très souple, tanins gras en milieu de bouche, doux, frais, tendu, vif et long. Très dense. O=2017 G=20 ans

TAST

19,5

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2010

Ce vin culte produit par Stéphane Derenoncourt constitue l’une des réussites majeures de la rive droite dans ce millésime exceptionnel. A ses habituelles très grandes densités, longueur et profondeur, il ajoute une élégance et une pureté de texture sans équivalent. C’est assurément le plus beau millésime jamais réalisé par ce cru de très haut niveau. L’un des vins majeurs de l’année.

Falstaff

95-97

byPeter Moserthe4/30/2010

Feine Brombeerfrucht, Edelhozanklänge, sehr facettenreich, Orangenzesten, ein Hauch von Zedern, mineralisch. Stoffig, hochelegant, feiner Nougat, finessenreich, zeigt eine wunderbare Frische, schokoladiger Nachhall, sehr gute Länge.

Wine Advocate

95-98

byRobert Parkerthe4/28/2010

This nearly 12-acre parcel on the clay and limestone plateau above Pavie Decesse has produced a killer succession of wines ever since the debut vintage of 1996. The 2000, tasted in preparation for a big article on that vintage, is just out of this world, as is the 1998, and remarkably, a very underrated wine, the 1997. The 2009 looks like another phenomenal effort. Is it better than 2005, 2000, or 1998? It’s too early to tell. A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, this wine tips the scales at an all-time high of 14.5% alcohol. Consultant Stephane Derenoncourt, who makes this wine for Stephan von Neipperg, said the crop yields were 18 hectoliters per hectare. The wine is painfully rich, but at the same time retains an extraordinary elegance and freshness. A full-bodied wine with plenty of raspberries, red and black currants, and a cool minerality, the wine is full-bodied, powerful, yet at the same time possesses sweet tannins, a very layered mouthfeel, and dazzling purity and length. It will need 5-7 years of cellaring and will drink well for three decades. (Tasted four times.) Drink 2015-2045. (95-98+) points

Periodic Review of Wine

96-98

byAlan Duranthe4/28/2010

This is a huge and rich La Mondotte, as capable as the brilliant 2005. Its saturated inky-purple, fully-rimmed hue is accompanied by a striking perfume of sweet blue flower extract, crème de cassis, blueberry, cherry, and cassis in addition to extraordinary richness of ripe gobs of fruit. One finds much in the way of precision to the potent fruit and broad tannin. Do not doubt its capacity to cellar for 30+ years. This is one of the great right-bank wines of the vintage. Thrilling! Maturity period 2017-2036

Wine Advocate

95-97

byNeal Martinthe4/21/2010

Tasted at Canon-la-Gaffeliere, cropped at 17hl/ha on 6th October and 13th October (Merlot and Cabernet Franc respectively), this is a blend of 80% and 20%. The La Mondotte ’09 has a sensuous, opulent bouquet with ravishing red-berried fruits, black plum, cassis and a touch of fresh fig. The palate is medium-bodied with cashmere tannins, very harmonious with beautifully integrated oak, this 2009 actually reminds me of the sensational 2005. The minerality really comes through towards the finish. Vivacious. Tasted March 2010.

Jancis Robinson

16

byJancis Robinsonthe4/8/2010

Very thick and dark. Heavy and overripe tarry nose. So sweet and dense and overripe. No freshness. Pink Edinburgh rock - too sweet. Drink 2015-2025

Wine Spectator

95-98

byJames Sucklingthe3/25/2010

Black olive, green olive and coffee bean. Ripe fruit too. Full-bodied, with velvety and polished tannins and fabulous fruit. Love the texture and depth of fruit to this wine. So long too. Tangy freshness at the end.