2017 La Mondotte

Solidly built, with a ganache frame that marries well with the core of fig and plum compote flavors. Tobacco and chalky minerality line the finish, revealing an echo of savory at the very end. Starts big and gains refinement as it moves along.—J.M.

The deepest colored in the lineup from owner Stephan von Neipperg, the 2017 La Mondotte comes from a magical terroir covering 11.5-acres of clay and limestone soils located above Pavie and Pavie Decesse. It boasts a vibrant purple color to go with fresh, gorgeously pure notes of blueberries, violets, licorice, and ample minerality. Possessing medium to full-bodied richness, ripe, present tannin, integrated acidity, and a great finish, it doesn’t have the volume or weight of the 2015 and is made in a more elegant, finesse-driven style. It’s a brilliant wine that’s going to need 4-5 years of cellaring and keep for two decades or more.

There was no frost here. Composed of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple colored 2017 La Mondotte simply sings of gorgeous ripe blackberries, mulberries and black raspberries with touches of sandalwood, lavender, licorice and rose hips plus wafts of garrigue and exotic spices. The palate is medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated with firm, very silky tannins and layer upon layer of black fruits and spices, finishing very long and beautifully perfumed.