La Mondotte 2020

Wineadvocate

I typically have a weakness for Canon-la-Gaffelière, with its high percentage of Cabernet Franc, in the Von Neipperg portfolio. But this year, it's the 2020 La Mondotte that takes center stage, offering up aromas of dark berries, plums, licorice, incense and vine smoke, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and vibrant palate of striking harmony and concentration. It's the most seamless, complete wine I've ever tasted from this brilliant clay-limestone terroir. - WK 04/2023

Vinous

The 2020 La Mondotte is fabulous. Rich, heady and exotic, the 2020 offers up copious blackberry, blueberry, mocha, licorice, lavender and spice, with more savory and mineral notes that appear over time. Like all of Stephan von Neipperg's 2020s, La Mondotte marries fruit intensity and structure in brilliant style. As always, La Mondotte is a pretty full throttle Saint-Émilion, but the excesses of the past have been tamed. (Drink between 2030-2045) - AG 02/2023

Beck

Alors que CLG et Oratoire surprennent par leur fraîcheur, Mondotte est plus dans la logique du millésime, respectivement de son côté chaleureux. En tout cas au début, car il ne manque pas de remettre l'église au milieu du village (même si elle est plus loin) mais il reste le château d'eau comme référence ! Paradoxalement, le vin affiche une surprenante tension et une rafraîchissante salinité en bouche. Mondotte est en mesure de créer le lien entre charme, acidité et ampleur. Un vin performant, surprenant, frais, doux et long. 2028-2055 - YB 01/2023

Suckling

Blackberries, blueberries and flowers such as lavender and dark roses on the nose. Dried flowers as well. Feels medium-bodied with seamless tannins that spread across the palate. Savory and agile with a weightless feel. Hints of white pepper and salt. Makes you want to taste it. Better after 2026. - 03/2023

Dunnuck

Just about pure perfection, the 2020 La Mondotte comes from a tiny parcel of limestone soils on the upper plateau, not far from Troplong Mondot. Mostly Merlot with a small amount of Cabernet Franc, its deep purple hue is followed by a brilliant bouquet of crème de cassis, crushed stone, graphite, mulled black cherries, and hints of truffle. Full-bodied, incredibly elegant yet also concentrated and flawlessly balanced, it's as good as anything in the vintage. Give bottles 4-6 years in the cellar, count yourself lucky, and enjoy over the following 2-3 decades. - 03/2023