Chateau La Mondotte   La Mondotte

2012 La Mondotte

By Chateau La Mondotte

2012 La Mondotte from Chateau La Mondotte, Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux

The 2012 La Mondotte from the esteemed Chateau La Mondotte offers an enigmatic journey through the variegated terroir of Saint-Emilion. This vintage comes from a year widely described as a winemaker’s challenge, yet this jewel in Bordeaux’s crown gleams with the brilliance that skilled viticulture and astute enology can deliver under trying conditions.

 

A Vintage Shaped by Contrast

The narrative of the 2012 season was one of contrasts - a cool, damp spring gave way to a surprisingly dry and sunny end of summer. In these precipitous moments, Chateau La Mondotte’s commitment to meticulous vine management manifested in a harvest that captured the essence of restraint and opportunity. Observing how this vintage weathered the tumultuous climate imparts an appreciation for its distinct composure.

 

A Delectable Expression of Elegance

Bearing an opulent bouquet that elegantly twines dark fruit notes with a subtle concoction of spice and leather, the 2012 La Mondotte reveals layers upon layers as it unfurls in the glass. The tannins – youthfully vigorous yet promising supple refinement with time – suggest an exceptional cellaring potential. On the palate, one finds balance; a poise between ripe plum and black cherry profiles alongside an earthy minerality reminiscent of the iron-rich soils characteristic of Saint-Emilion.

For investors attuned to narratives of resilience and finesse, the 2012 La Mondotte proves to be an intriguing addition to any collection. Its story resonates not only through each sip but also in its potential for development as the years progress.

 

Securing a Slice of Saint-Emilion Splendour

In conclusion, investing in the 2012 La Mondotte is less about seeking immediate gratification and more about embracing a liquid chronicle; one that speaks both of the trials faced by Chateau La Mondotte and their masterful resolution into something serenely beautiful. This particular vintage holds a mirror to nature’s caprices and reflects back a wine that is triumphantly concentrated and poised for longevity.

Market price (HKD)

HK$13,290.00

12x75cl

Highest score

95

POP score

92.67

Scores and tasting notes

95

From the luxury, 12-acre boutique outpost of the Neipperg family, the 2012 La Mondotte (generally 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc) has an inky/purple color, sweet mulberry, black cherry and cassis note, stunning purity and full-bodied texture. The wine’s opulence and voluptuous character compare to its greatest vintages, such as 1998, 2000, 2005, 2009 and 2010. Its great terroir (clay and limestone soils) shines through with a stunning effort in the vintage. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.

Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 29 April 2015

Vintage performance