2023 Château La Mondotte
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Tasting notes
From a tiny four-hectare parcel on the upper plateau (just above Pavie and near Troplong Mondot) and based on 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc brought up in 40% new French oak, the 2023 La Mondotte sports a deep ruby hue as well as a tight yet promising nose of black cherries, framboise, chalky minerality, and graphite. It's medium to full-bodied, has a balanced mouthfeel, ripe, building tannins, and nicely integrated acidity. It's going to benefit from 5-6 years of bottle age and should see its 30th birthday in fine form. Drink 2031-2056.
Critic scores
James Suckling
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2023 La Mondotte is captivating. Graphite, dried herbs, lavender and coffee weave through a core of dark-toned fruit. There's plenty of the density that has been such a Mondotte signature, but that richness is rendered with notable finesse and tension these days. I especially admire the wine's vibrancy. The clean, bracing finish is so attractive.
The 2023 La Mondotte predictably has a little more ripeness and vigor on the nose compared to the Canon-la-Gaffelière. Lifted raspberry and blackcurrant scents, violet and incense emerging with time. The oak is neatly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, quite linear in style though, a bit like Canon-la-Gaffelière, it seems to just cut away without so much as a bye-your-leave toward the finish vis-à-vis previous vintages.
Sensational aromas of black olive skin, blueberries, iron, lead pencil and blackberries. Some mushrooms too. The intense, chalky, limestone character expands the medium-bodied palate, showing lots of dark-berry layers. Long and tight in the finish. Chewy at the end from the salty, minerally undertone. A blend of 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc. Best after 2028.