La Mondotte 2019

The story of La Mondotte is a Cinderella story if ever there was one.  Who would have thought this tiny, unclassified property in Saint-Émilion would eventually join the ranks of illustrious, star producers like Château Figeac and Château Canon La Gaffelière as a Premiere Grand Cru Classes estate? La Mondotte’s extraordinary turnaround is largely due to the hard work the von Neipperg family put into the property.  For oenophiles who love concentrated, intense, and mineral driven wines, look no further than this gem of a property in the Right Bank. 

The history of La Mondotte begins in the modern era when it was purchased by the von Neipperg family in 1971.  The von Neippergs are no stranger to the winemaking scene, having produced wine in portions of Germany for 800 years.  The von Neipperg family seems to have the Midas touch, having turned properties like Château Canon La Gaffelière into true standouts and exemplary expressions of Saint-Émilion terroir.  With all that in mind, La Mondotte was a bit of a late bloomer.  Though it was acquired the same time as some other von Neipperg estates, like Canon La Gaffelière and Clos de l'Oratoire, La Mondotte remained relatively obscure.  By 1989, the other estates mentioned were already producing knockout vintages simply because the von Neippergs had not directed their attention toward La Mondotte.  It wasn’t until 1995 when Stephan von Neipperg shifted his focus to the vineyards at La Mondotte that things started to turn around for the estate. 

Stephan von Neipperg prioritized cleaning the soils and moving to self-sustaining farming first because he believed the estate had the same potential as other Premiere Grand Cru Classés properties in Saint-Émilion.  They switched the practices over at the estate to biodynamic practices and implemented organic viticultural techniques.  As of 2014 La Mondotte was 100% Certified Organic.  With all that in mind, the most exciting part of this property’s journey was in 2012, when it was classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classe wine.  This is extremely rare for unclassified vineyards in the Right Bank region of Saint-Émilion.  In the entire history of the Saint-Émilion Classification, only one other wine made such a turnaround that it was granted this incredibly high honor. 

La Mondotte is a small, 4.5-hectare property that is planted with 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc.  La Mondotte has some famous neighbors, including Château Troplong Mondot and Château Larcis Ducasse.  The estate is located a stone’s throw east of the famous Saint-Émilion limestone plateau.  The terroir is mostly clay and silt with heavy limestone deposits in the soil.  Like its sibling, Château Canon La Gaffelière, La Mondotte has its share of old vines – some date as far back to 1939.  The wine is produced with whole berry fermentation in a gravity flow operation, and the wine is diligently crafted at very low yields.  This results in a stunning, mineral-driven wine that has enormous aging potential and can lay down for 12-15 years or more prior to reaching its fullest potential.  

"Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2019 La Mondotte needs a little coaxing before bursting onto the scene with flamboyant scents of plum pudding, blueberry compote, blackberry pie and red roses. Further swirling reveals provocative, emerging notes of sandalwood, cracked black pepper, baker's chocolate, unsmoked cigars and crushed rocks plus a waft of black truffles. The medium to full-bodied palate is an exercise in poise and sophistication, featuring the most exquisitely ripe, velvety tannins and amazing freshness, beautifully countering the intense blue and black fruit layers, finishing with epic length and loads of mineral sparks. Breathtaking!" - Lisa Perotti-Brown, June 2020 Week 3: The Wine Advocate (6/17/2020) Rating: 97-99

"Liquified rocks, gravel, blackberry jam, smoke, licorice and dried flowers are some of the many aromas and flavors that infuse La Mondotte with tremendous character. Brooding and potent, the 2019 possesses dazzling richness married to structure. I can't wait to taste it from bottle. It is a wine of tremendous breeding." - Antoni Galloni, vinous (June 2020), Ratings: 94-96

"The 2019 La Mondotte was picked on 19 September to 7 October at 51hl/ha and matured in 70% new oak (this appears to be lowered since a decade or so ago when it regularly saw 100%.) It boasts and opulent, quite ravishing bouquet with red berry fruit, sage, cedar and hints of camphor imparting a light medicinal tincture. The palate is medium-bodied with fine and very lithe tannins that imbue this La Mondotte with a creamy texture. This is another Saint-Émilion without a hair out of place, very sensual and for want of a better word, almost nubile. The 70% new oak is an assiduous decision and allows the terroir to come through on the finish. Excellent." - Neal Martin, vinous (June, 2020), Ratings: 93-95