Château La Mondotte St-Emilion 2021 - 1er Grand Cru Classé B

Largely spared the hardships of the vintage, this exceptional terroir displays its usual power, yet a power interwoven with finesse. The chalky character of the tannins is evident, the aging is exceptionally well-integrated, and the acidity expresses itself naturally, with great verticality, on a perfectly ripe, fleshy structure that stretches gracefully, in a “soft power” style. A dynamic wine.

The 2021 Mondotte has character; it is by no means over-the-top or showy—finesse is its defining trait, with notes of peonies, raspberries, and cocoa beans, among others. The vintage certainly plays a role, but so do the winemaking and aging choices. The attack is slender and elegant, while the acidic structure takes over and provides a solid foundation, imparting freshness and vibrancy. A tight yet elegant and savory wine with a mouth-watering, lingering finish. A truly beautiful success. 2027–2041

The nose is fruity and fresh, offering lovely definition, complexity, finesse, refined power, great harmony, and a subtle, taut quality. It features notes of morello cherry, fresh red berries, and, more subtly, fairly ripe and vibrant blue berries, along with ripe blackcurrant, combined with subtle hints of star anise, a sense of place, sweet blond tobacco, and a subtle touch of vanilla and toasted/fresh oak. The palate is beautifully structured, offering freshness, juiciness, well-balanced bitterness, a lovely lingering finish, energy, pure fruit, richness, fullness, smoothness, and a certain silkiness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of roasted cherry, pulpy/juicy raspberry, and, more subtly, tart/crisp red berries, combined with subtle hints of violet and blackcurrant, as well as subtle hints of star anise and nutmeg, along with a discreet hint of sap, toast, and chocolate. Good length.

Intense purple color with violet highlights and a black core. Excellent, powerful, and elegant nose, with refined toasty notes and subtle oak, supported by rich fruit. Subtle notes of spices and aromatic herbs add complexity. The palate is well-structured with excellent tannins—firm yet ripe—and great length. An impressive expression of the limestone terroir, with minerality, tension, and persistence.

Unblended. Both deep and fruity, the bouquet of the 2021 La Mondotte is magnificent, with notes of black fruit, blackcurrant, licorice, graphite, and floral aromas upon aeration. The attack is chalky and straightforward, with structuring tannins, a lovely acidic backbone, and a light, crisp finish. A fine wine in which the aging process will be crucial to allowing the full earthy power of the soil to express itself.