Chateau La Mondotte 2017

Strongly influenced by its terroir, this wine is significantly influenced by the high calibre of the clay in La Mondotte and the age of the vines (60 years on average). It has a tremendous amount of minerality and is smooth, robust, and unmatched in elegance.

97 Points - James Suckling    Extremely complex on the nose with blackberries, chili spice, chocolate and fresh walnuts. Full-bodied, tight and very minerally and racy. Steely tannins. Fresh and vivid. Seamless, soft tannins give this form and beauty. Fresh and powerful. Profound. 

97 Points - Wine Spectator    Not shy, this pumps lush, dark plum, cassis and fig fruit forward, backed by contrasting waves of grippy tobacco and licorice snap. Dense and muscular until the finish, when a well-buried chalky minerality begins to emerge, adding refinement and cut. A big style, built for the cellar. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. 

96 points Vinous    The 2017 La Mondotte is absolutely exquisite, just as it was from barrel. In 2017, La Mondotte stands out for its aromatic intensity, nuance and total translucency. Sage, mint, licorice, plum, chocolate, spice and mineral undertones all grace this striking, beautifully nuanced Saint-Émilion made with 30% Cabernet Franc in addition to its Merlot base. More than anything else, I really admire the wine's precision and tension. The 2017 is such a gorgeous Mondotte. 

96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate    Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 La Mondotte explodes with beguiling scents of wild blueberries, black raspberries and warm plums plus nuances of lilacs, tilled soil, fallen leaves and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-filling, crunchy blue and black fruits with a wonderfully plush texture and loads of freshness, finishing long and savory. 

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast     Based on firm, dry tannins, this wine has a solid, powerful character. It also has layers of beautifully perfumed fruit that enhance the black-currant flavors. The fine tannins need time to soften...

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck    The 2017 La Mondotte checks in as 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc brought up in 60% new French oak. It's beautifully concentrated yet has a bright spine of acidity as well as plenty of tannins that give it a focused, classic style. Blueberries, black cherries, plums, crushed violets, licorice, and graphite notes all emerge from the glass, and this medium to full-bodied beauty has plenty of ripeness, bright underlying acidity, and a great finish. It's the ripest, most powerful in the lineup, yet still shows the elegance and straight style of the vintage.