La Mondotte 2020

(90% M, 10% CF; 36hl/ha; 14.5% ABV; 60% new)Intensely black-fruit ripe on the nose; deep, concentrated wine, with a marked acidity, and fine but long-term, slightly chewy tannin; very ripe black cherry in flavor, the acidity giving it a great sense of vigor and vitality, long and close-grained, racy and exciting to taste, intense yet without excess, and with splendid length. A very harmonious Mondotte in its intense, showy, somewhat muscular style. It will need a decade at least to really begin to show its paces. 2032–50+.

The 2020 La Mondotte has altered since tasting it from barrel, closing in a little, becoming less sensual and more "serious". Blackberry intermingles with raspberry coulis , cedar and a very subtle star anis scent with superb delineation and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins. Like the aromatics, it has become more intellectual during its élevage, more saline, slightly granular in texture with a harmonious yet understated finish that lingers long in the mouth. Sophisticated.

The 2020 La Mondotte does not mess about, delivering a payload of ripe, opulent blackberry, cassis, India ink and figgy scents, exotic but very sensual and managing to retain impressive delineation. The balanced palate presents succulent tannins and a satiny texture. There is real depth to this La Mondotte, yet the acidity keeps it light on its toes, and there is impressive salinity toward the finish. This constitutes one of the finest La Mondotte releases in recent years. Chapeau! Drink: 2025 - 2050