CHÂTEAU LA MONDOTTE

This nearly 12-acre vineyard on the high plateau of limestone and clay soils above Pavie and Pavie Decesse has produced a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc in 2011. The result is an opaque purple-colored wine with sweet mulberry and black cherry fruit intermixed with forest floor, toasty new oak and spring flowers. Full-bodied with sweet tannin, adequate acidity and a lavish, almost extravagantly rich style, this is one of Bordeaux’s most compelling wines. The 2011 La Mondotte is another great success in a difficult vintage. Drink it over the next two decades. Proprietor Stefan von Neipperg’s debut vintage of 1996 continues to age at a glacial pace. In many ways this great terroir established not only Neipperg’s seriousness about quality, but also the burgeoning reputation of Stephane Derenoncourt as a wine consultant. Yields in 2011 were 18 hectoliters per hectare, the wine was aged in 100% new oak, and the natural alcohol achieved was 14%. 2012 - 2032 Rating: 92-94 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Apr 2012)

Picked on 21st September (Merlot) and 26th September (Cabernet Franc) at a whopping 18hl/ha, the La Mondotte has a sweet pure nose of dark cherries and cassis, of course, saturated with creamy new oak although it is in synch with the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with sweet ripe tannins on the entry. Low acidity, plush and sensual, it does not have the complexity of say the 2005 or 2009, although it is svelte and focused, a pretty La Mondotte to age over 10-15 years. Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2012)

This vivid red shows excellent definition to its linzer torte, black currant and juicy plum flavors, with lots of chalk and iron-driven cut on the finish. Ripe, sleek and focused. A step ahead of the pack. Rating: 92-95 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2012)