Tasting Notes
Antonio Galloni 97
The 2023 La Mondotte is captivating. Graphite, dried herbs, lavender and coffee weave through a core of dark-toned fruit. There’s plenty of the density that has been such a Mondotte signature, but that richness is rendered with notable finesse and tension these days. I especially admire the wine’s vibrancy. The clean, bracing finish is so attractive.
Anticipated maturity: 2030-2048
Neal Martin 92
The 2023 La Mondotte predictably has a little more ripeness and vigor on the nose compared to the Canon-la-Gaffelière. Lifted raspberry and blackcurrant scents, violet and incense emerging with time. The oak is neatly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, quite linear in style though, a bit like Canon-la-Gaffelière, it seems to just cut away without so much as a bye-your-leave toward the finish vis-à-vis previous vintages.
Anticipated maturity: 2027-2047
Wine Advocate 92-94
I typically have a weakness for Canon-la-Gaffelière in the von Niepperg portfolio, but this year it’s the 2023 La Mondotte, a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, that stands out as the highlight of the range. Revealing aromas of dark berries, licorice and petals, framed by creamy new oak, it’s medium to full-bodied, layered and harmonious, with good depth at the core, supple tannin and a penetrating finish.
James Suckling 97-98
A dense yet agile wine with blackberry, blueberry, raspberry and citrus aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with fine tannins that spread across the palate, running the length of the wine and helping it to last for minutes on the finish. 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc.
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96
A more Merlot-dominated blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 La Mondotte has a semi-opaque hue to go with beautiful aromatics of black raspberry and bright cherry-like fruit as well as some classic graphite, chalky minerality, and floral notes. It’s another medium to full-bodied, seamless, beautifully balanced red from this team that has fine tannins and an overriding sense of freshness and elegance.
The Wine Independent 94-96+
The 2023 La Mondotte is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a little swirling to bring out evocative scents of stewed plums, black cherry compote, and cedar chest plus hints of sassafras and dark chocolate. The medium-bodied palate delivers energetic, tight-knit black fruit layers with minerally accents and great tension, framed by firm grainy tannins, finishing long and lifted. The blend is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.
