Château La Mondotte, Saint Emilion, 1er Grand Cru Classe 2019

Château La Mondotte, Saint Emilion, 1er Grand Cru Classe 2019 Château La Mondotte Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé B 2019 is a profound, highly concentrated Right Bank Bordeaux with exceptional precision and aging potential. It is one of the most distinctive and sought-after wines of Saint-Émilion, combining power, purity and a very serious mineral backbone. Critic tasting notes: (2019 vintage) "This has a fragrant nose of blackberries, red tea, cloves, bark, orange zest and dark chocolate. Sandalwood and tile, too. Full-bodied with chewy yet supple tannins and fresh acidity. Seamless and rich. Long and muscular. Try from 2027." - James Suckling "Deep in color, the wine is equally deep on the palate. Opening with an intense display of flowers and potpourri, the wine quickly moves to show off the remainder of its aromatic profile that includes, spice-box, licorice, chocolate infused cherries, mint leaf and black plums. Full-bodied, rich, intense and opulent, the finish lingers on the palate, providing a backdrop for all of its opulent, ripe, vibrant fruits and crushed stones. Drink from 2026-2055." - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider (97/100) "Aromas of smoky blackberries, black truffles, pipe tobacco, loamy soil and rose petals introduce the 2019 La Mondotte, a medium to full-bodied, deep and velvety wine that's lively and gourmand, with a rich core of fruit that's framed by beautifully polished tannins. This Merlot-dominant cuvée derives from vineyards on the plateau neighboring Troplong-Mondot, but the soils are shallower here, without the same reserves of deep clay. This 4.5-hectare vineyard sits in between Bellevue Mondotte and Troplong-Mondot, but the soils here are shallower than the deep clays that characterize the latter estate. Planted entirely with Merlot and certified organic, the estate is farmed using all the methods typical of von Niepperg's forward-thinking approach to viticulture. With lower pH and higher acidity than the more sensual Canon la Gaffelière, La Mondotte is often a more muscular, tightly wound wine, but the inherent charm of the 2019 vintage will make for an unusually broad drinking window." - Robert Parker The Wine Advocate, Reviewed by: William Kelley (95/100) Site & Identity La Mondotte comes from a tiny 4.5-hectare plateau of clay-limestone and limestone-rich soils on the east side of Saint-Émilion, near Troplong Mondot, with an average vine age of around 60 years. The estate is farmed organically, and its low-yielding, rocky terroir naturally gives wines of density, tension and strong cellar potential. In 2012, La Mondotte was elevated directly to Premier Grand Cru Classé B, reflecting the quality and singularity of this small but formidable estate. Technical Tasting Note Appearance: Deep ruby to dark garnet, with an intense, youthful core. Nose: Pure and powerful aromas of black cherry, cassis, blueberry, violets, sweet spice, cedar and a fine mineral note, with subtle earthy depth. Palate: Firm, concentrated and muscular, with dense Merlot fruit, Cabernet Franc lift, polished but assertive tannins and a strong chalky-mineral line. Finish: Long, tense and persistent, with dark fruit, floral detail, spice and a cool, structural close that promises extended evolution in bottle. Winemaking & Style The 2019 blend is approximately 79% Merlot and 21% Cabernet Franc, made from grapes harvested by hand and vinified with a meticulous, low-intervention approach before spending around 18 months in 100% new oak. The result is a wine of great depth and concentration, but also of clarity and refinement, where the oak supports rather than obscures the fruit. Stylistically, La Mondotte 2019 is more muscular and tightly wound than many more sensual Saint-Émilions, yet the vintage’s natural charm gives it a remarkably broad drinking window and excellent balance. Food Pairing Excellent with ribeye, roast lamb, venison, duck breast, truffle dishes, mushroom risotto and mature hard cheeses. Its structure and freshness make it especially well suited to refined cuisine and long-term cellaring for future special occasions.