2022 Château La Mondotte

The 2022 La Mondotte is another heady wine in this range from the Neipperg family. Inky dark fruit, gravel, pencil shavings, iron, sage and scorched earth infuse the 2022 with notable intensity and tons of brooding, somber character. Readers will have to be patient, as this is a potent, structured Saint-Émilion. I would not plan on opening a bottle anytime soon. The 2022 is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, so a bit more Franc than in some recent years. This spent 35 days on the skins followed by 16 months in French oak, 40% new. It's a superb edition of this wine made from one of the most distinctive sites in the appellation.

- Antonio Galloni (01/2025)

This is so floral with violets and dried rose petals on the nose as well as raspberries and blueberries. Medium-bodied, it has very fine tannins that grow in the finish, giving a salty and chalky impression. Positive austerity at the end. A cooler, higher energy La Mondotte. Wow. Drink after 2029 but already fascinating to taste. (01/2025)

Another absolute stunner from the Right Bank in the vintage, the 2022 La Mondotte just about jumps out of the glass with its intense yet also complex and elegant profile carrying pure cassis and black raspberry fruit, some crushed stone and violet nuances, medium to full body, ultra-fine tannins, and just awesome length on the finish. It has the inherent richness and power of the vintage yet is seamless, graceful, and just incredibly compelling. Its purity is off the charts. You can safely enjoy bottles today, yet I would still do my best to hide them in the cellar for 7-8 years if you can. It will certainly have 2-3 decades over overall longevity. (02/2025)