Château La Mondotte

Château La Mondotte - Exceptional Wine from Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé B

Established in the early 19th century, Château La Mondotte is a historic estate located in the prestigious appellation of Saint-Émilion, France. This exceptional wine, a Premier Grand Cru Classé B, comes from a small property of only 4.5 hectares. The château is owned by Count Stephan Von Neipperg, who also owns the renowned Château Canon La Gaffelière. Thanks to meticulous vineyard work and ancestral expertise, Château La Mondotte stands out for its rare and highly sought-after wines, produced in limited quantities of around 11,000 bottles per year.

Terroir and Viticulture: A Unique Terroir

The exceptional terroir of Château La Mondotte is a true treasure for wine lovers. The vineyard is planted on clay-limestone soils, offering unmatched finesse to the wines produced. The ideal exposure and careful vineyard management allow the production of wines with extraordinary opulence, elegant tannins, and intense color.

The estate is known for its old vines, with an average age of 50 years, producing grapes rich in aromas and complexity. The grape variety consists of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, a typical blend from the Saint-Émilion region that gives the wine a balanced structure and excellent aging potential.

Tasting: An Exceptional Wine

Château La Mondotte is distinguished by its remarkable sensory characteristics. On tasting, this Grand Cru Classé reveals:

• Color: An intense and deep hue, often described as dark ruby.
• Aroma: Powerful aromas of black fruits (blackcurrant, blackberry), with elegant hints of truffle, cedar, and cocoa.
• Palate: Full-bodied and structured, the wine impresses with its silky tannins and perfect balance between power and finesse. Notes of plum, licorice, and roasted coffee evolve into a long, persistent finish.

This wine is perfectly structured for long-term aging and reveals its full potential after several years of cellaring. It is recommended to decant it before tasting to release all its aromatic complexity.

Food and Wine Pairings

Château La Mondotte pairs harmoniously with refined dishes such as:

• Red meats (roast lamb, beef filet)
• Game (venison, hare)
• Sauce-based dishes (daube, coq au vin)
• Aged cheeses (Brie de Meaux, Saint-Nectaire)

These pairings enhance the flavors of the wine and create an unforgettable culinary experience.

Vinification and Aging: The Art of Perfection

Winemaking at Château La Mondotte respects tradition and terroir. After a careful manual harvest, the grapes are meticulously sorted to keep only the best fruit. The fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, ensuring precise control of temperatures.

The wine is then aged for 18 to 24 months in French oak barrels, many of which are new, imparting subtle woody aromas and reinforcing the tannic structure. This process ensures the purity of the fruit and the longevity of the wines.

Aging Potential

Thanks to its aromatic richness and impressive tannic structure, Château La Mondotte has strong aging potential. It can be stored for 15 to 20 years, or even longer, under proper conditions (a cellar with stable temperatures between 12°C and 14°C).

Awards and Distinctions

Château La Mondotte was promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé B status in 2012 during the revision of the Saint-Émilion classification. This prestigious ranking highlights the exceptional quality and global reputation of this wine. The vintages of Château La Mondotte are regularly acclaimed by international critics, with excellent ratings in publications like Wine Spectator and Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.

Why Choose Château La Mondotte?

• A rare wine: With an annual production limited to 11,000 bottles, each bottle of Château La Mondotte is a true treasure.
• An exceptional terroir: The clay-limestone soils and old vines give the wines unparalleled finesse and complexity.
• A Premier Grand Cru Classé: Awarded for its quality, this wine is a reliable choice for collectors and lovers of great wines.
• Impressive aging potential: Wine enthusiasts will find in Château La Mondotte the ideal companion for cellaring and savoring on special occasions.

FAQ about Château La Mondotte

What is the composition of Château La Mondotte? Château La Mondotte is composed of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc.

What is the aging potential of Château La Mondotte? This wine can be kept for 15 to 20 years in good conditions, and it improves with time.

How many bottles are produced each year? Approximately 11,000 bottles are produced annually, making it a highly sought-after and rare wine.

What is the best way to enjoy Château La Mondotte? It is recommended to decant the wine before serving to release all its aromas, ideally paired with red meats or sauce-based dishes.

What distinctions has Château La Mondotte received? In 2012, Château La Mondotte was promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé B status in the Saint-Émilion classification, reinforcing its global reputation.

How is Château La Mondotte vinified? The wine is aged for 18 to 24 months in oak barrels, with a rigorous selection of grapes to ensure optimal quality.

Conclusion

Château La Mondotte is more than just a wine; it is a true work of vinicultural art. Rich in history , tradition, and expertise, this Premier Grand Cru Classé B from Saint-Émilion stands out for its elegance, power, and aging potential. A bottle to savor on the finest occasions or to offer to lovers of rare and prestigious wines.