La Mondotte 2015 (750ML)

"94-96 Points, Neal Martin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: ""The 2015 La Mondotte is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc picked on 18 September and 7 October respectively, then aged in 80% new oak after a 33-day vatting. It has a dense, opulent and very concentrated bouquet that is driven by the super-intense Merlot, though as I mention in my accompanying introduction, the alcohol is contained and not at all apparent. The palate is very well balanced with rounded, supple tannin. There is a lot of weight in the mouth here, very focused and intense with blackberry and raspberry fruit, fine mineralité and tension, leading to an almost pixelated finish. This is an impressive La Mondotte for sure, though the 2015 Canon la Gaffeliere might offer more intellect."" 4/16 #224"

96 points Neal Martin: "The 2015 La Mondotte, which was bottled on 21 June 2017, has a much more refined bouquet compared to en primeur, its barrel maturation having tempered the aromatics. Blackberry, redcurrant, cold wet stones, a touch of flint and later hints of iris come forth, all very well delineated. The palate is medium-bodied with sensual, silky tannin. The acidity is perfectly judged, lending this La Mondotte exquisite harmony and an almost understated nature. It just glides across the palate and reveals great precision on the finish. Outstanding. Anticipated maturity: 2022 - 2045." (02/2018)

The 2015 La Mondotte is super-concentrated, rich and unctuous, with serious intensity in all of its dimensions. Black cherry, blackberry, bittersweet chocolate, leather and licorice add to an impression of brooding, virile power, while beams of supporting tannin extend the finish. Today, La Mondotte is more about power than finesse. The 2015 needs at least a few years to shed some of its formidable tannin and baby fat. Tasted two times.

96 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2015 La Mondotte is super-concentrated, rich and unctuous, with serious intensity in all of its dimensions. Black cherry, blackberry, bittersweet chocolate, leather and licorice add to an impression of brooding, virile power, while beams of supporting tannin extend the finish. Today, La Mondotte is more about power than finesse. The 2015 needs at least a few years to shed some of its formidable tannin and baby fat. Tasted two times. (AG)"

99 Points, James Suckling: "The aromas of blackberries, iodine, oyster shell, violets and lavender are so impressive. Full-bodied, dense and beautifully balanced and refined. Transparent. Real. True beauty. Nothing adding. Organically grown grapes. Drink in 2023." 2/18

98 Points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator: "This sports a nearly exotic core of fruit, with loganberry, plum, açaí berry and fig notes woven together. Lush on top but supported by a graphite underpinning. Hedonistic at first but shows greater finesse and minerality through the floral- and anise-accented finish. Dense, but pure and tensile. Best from 2020 through 2045. (JM)"

100 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, www.JebDunnuck.com: "The deep purple, inky-colored 2015 La Mondotte is something to behold and one of the top handful of wines in the vintage, as well as a perfect wine. Coming from an organically farmed 4.5-hectare parcel of clay and limestone soils located behind Pavie Decesse and a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc (it hit 14.5% alcohol), it boasts awesome aromatics of crème de cassis, graphite, black licorice, and toasty oak, with building minerality that comes through with time in the glass. It's incredible on the palate as well and possesses a huge, super-concentrated, yet thrillingly pure, elegant style as well as lots of sweet tannins and a huge finish. It's a primordial baby at the moment, but wow, what a wine. Give bottles 4-5 years of cellaring and it should keep for two to three decades." 11/30