2023 La Mondotte (St-Emilion)

The 2023 La Mondotte is fabulous. In fact, the 2023 is one of the best Mondottes I can remember tasting. A wine of vertical, explosive energy, La Mondotte dazzles from the very first taste. Inky dark fruit, mocha, lavender, new leather, spice and dried herbs build as this dynamic, complex Saint-Emilion shows off its compelling personality. Superb. 95-97 points

The 2023 La Mondotte was picked from September 19 to 30 at 37hL/ha with a 35-day cuvaison, aged in 40% new oak. Cut from a similar cloth to its stablemate, Canon-la-Gaffeliere, this is mineral-driven and strict, much stonier than previous vintages, a touch of blood orange emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. It’s a little juicier than the Canon-la-Gaffeliere, with moderate and a slightly citrusy finish. This is a classy and perhaps uncharacteristically understated La Mondotte. 92-94 points