Mondotte - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2018

Vinous

96

byAntonio Gallonithe3/31/2021

The 2018 La Mondotte melds together the richness of the vintage with the bright, chalky notes that are such a signature of this tiny estate. Inky dark fruit, graphite, crushed rocks, lavender and spice gradually open in a dense, layered Saint-Émilion loaded with personality. I can't wait to see how it ages. 96+

Wine Advocate

97

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe3/31/2021

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 La Mondotte strolls nonchalantly out of the glass with expressive scents of plum preserves, blueberry compote and chocolate-covered cherries, followed by suggestions of candied violets, licorice, hoisin and black truffles with a waft of ground cloves. It's medium to full-bodied with seriously impressive tension and wonderfully ripe, velvety tannins supporting the generous black fruit preserves layers, finishing with amazing length and loads of panache. It will require a good 4-5 years to unlock some of its finer nuances, then drink this powerhouse over the next 25+ years. 97+

Jeb DUNNUCK

96

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/16/2021

Coming from a cool terroir situated near Pavie Decesse and based on 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 La Mondotte reveals a dense purple hue to go with a rich, yet classic, regal, full-bodied style delivering impressive blue fruits, graphite, scorched earth, and liquid violet aromas and flavors. It's concentrated and powerful, yet it's the balance, purity of fruit, and quality of tannins that set it apart. Do your best to hide bottles for 5-7 years, and it's going to evolve for 30+.

The Wine Cellar Insider

99

byJeff Levethe3/16/2021

This is a rich, lusciously textured, full-bodied, velvet laced wine that is impossible not to be enthralled by. Inky dark in color, you find flowers, crushed stones, ripe, juicy, fresh, sweet, blackberries, plums, cherries and assorted pit fruits. The intensity in the fruit, levels of depth and concentration, coupled with its gorgeous purity, essences of licorice, espresso, smoke and tobacco leaf with a touch of mint is there from start to finish. This is going to be a cellar treasure that will age and evolve for 2-3 decades with ease. The wine blends 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. Only 1,600 cases were produced.

Vinous

95

byNeal Martinthe3/12/2021

The 2018 La Mondotte, matured in 70% new oak, has retained a very focused and well-defined bouquet of intense cranberry, raspberry, sage and light marine scents. It is tightly packed and certainly benefits from decanting. The poised palate is medium-bodied with very pliant tannins, a fine bead of acidity and a silky-smooth texture. It then turns a little spicier, with desiccated orange peel and a background tang of marmalade emerging toward quite a complex and engaging finish. This is a fabulous La Mondotte that deserves cellaring.

Wine Spectator

96

byJames Molesworththe2/1/2021

This packs in some solid plum sauce, cassis and cherry reduction aromas and flavors, which hold sway throughout while hints of roasted alder, sweet tobacco and ganache fill in. Lovely, buried minerality keeps it all well-supported throughout. Built for the cellar. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2024 through 2038. 1,500 cases made. –JM

Yvesbeck.wine

98

byYves Beckthe1/26/2021

Superbe bouquet marqué par l'opulence et la finesse. Que de contrastes ! Notes de cassis et nuances crayeuses. Beaucoup de finesse, de puissance et de longueur. Tannins soyeux et puissants qui soulignent la notion de force tranquille. Ce vin est la preuve, parmi d'autres, qu'il est possible de faire des vins marqués par la fraîcheur en 2018.

Jamessuckling.com

98

byJames Sucklingthe1/26/2021

Blackberry, plum, mushroom and wood undertones. It’s full-bodied with firm, ripe tannins. Savory and fleshy texture on the palate. Well balanced. Flavorful finish with length. Such polish and composure for a young wine. So classy! Try after 2026.

Decanter.com

93

byJane Ansonthe1/12/2021

WeinWisser

19

byTjark Witzgallthe5/7/2019

Bettane & Desseauve

96

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2019

Tannin satiné et crémeux porté par une structure très fournie qui se déploie toute en subtilité du toucher de bouche jusqu’à sa finale. Grain remarquablement fin et frais.

Vinous

94-97

byAntonio Gallonithe5/1/2019

The 2018 La Mondotte is one of the highlights in this vintage. A rich, extravagant Saint-Émilion, La Mondotte retains a surprising amount of nuance and detail for a wine of its size. Crème de cassis, lavender, mint, spice and licorice all run through this sumptuous, full-throttle wine. Bright saline notes add energy and vibrancy. Simply put, the 2018 is stunning.

Jeb DUNNUCK

96-98

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/1/2019

The 2018 Bellevue Mondotte is a blockbuster that just jumps out of the glass with its crème de cassis, crushed violets, blackberry, and licorice aromas and flavors. It's powerful, opulent, and massively textured, yet never over the top or too much. It has building tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish.

Yvesbeck.wine

97-98

byYves Beckthe5/1/2019

75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc
Pourpre dense. Bouquet intense, complexe, marqué par son élevage et par des fruits tels que cassis, griottes et myrtilles. Agréable et rafraîchissante touche de menthe. Au palais, le vin est friand, dense, compact mais également frais et racé. Beaucoup de subtilité et belle aptitude à lier puissance, fraicheur et densité. Les tannins sont crémeux, fins et parfaitement intégrés. Finale racée et fruitée. 2024-2043

Vinifera

94-96

byJacques Perrinthe5/1/2019

Fruits noirs profonds, réglisse, ronce, crême de mûre, beaucoup d'éclat et de race. Attaque riche et pulpeuse, haute maturité du raisin, vin généreux en tanins, moins avancé à ce stade que Canon la Gaffelière, mais qui possède les arguments pour vieillir sereinement.  

The Wine Cellar Insider

98-100

byJeff Levethe4/23/2019

Inky in color, the wine is incredibly dense on the palate. The crushed rock and stone essence of the terroir comes through loud and clear. The wine is floral, finesse in style, long with a serious depth of flavor. The blackberry, boysenberry, plum and red pit fruit build and expand in the finish. 2018 saw an increase in production and close to 1,600 cases are going to be released. The wine was made from 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc reaching 14.2% alcohol.

Jamessuckling.com

97-98

byJames Sucklingthe4/12/2019

Wow. This is very dense and powerful with linear tannins and vivid acidity that run straight through the center of the wine. It’s full-bodied with great freshness. Loads of blackberry character and a salty-mineral undertone. Extremely long in the finish.

Wine Spectator

96-99

byJames Molesworththe4/3/2019

Intense raspberry and plum compote flavors show juicy energy, backed by a liberal dose of roasted apple wood notes. Grippy and still a bit chewy, but the drive is there, along with a buried mineral edge that lingers.