Along with the 1997, the 1999 is the most forward and accessible La Mondotte yet produced. Its opaque purple color is followed by a glorious nose of candied black fruits, graphite, licorice, and underbrush. It is full-bodied and sumptuous, possessing amazing extract and richness for the vintage. Its high tannin is hidden by a wealth of glycerin, fruit, and extract. Moreover, the finish lasts for 35-45 seconds. This is an amazing achievement in 1999. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2020.

The 1999 La Mondotte, which was picked on October 3, is a wine that I had not drunk since 2009. It has quite a deep color with little aging on the rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, offering small black cherries, cassis, violets and a touch of glycerine. The palate is medium-bodied with supple ripe tannin and a fine bead of acidity, quite muscular in style but focused and with good grip. I appreciate the spiciness and salinity on the finish. A solid La Mondotte that maybe just lacks a little charm. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the estate.

Full medium ruby. Explosive aromas of black raspberry, wild blackberry, truffle, smoked meat and earth; a bit syrah-like. At once powerful and aromatic in the mouth, with somewhat extractive flavors of medicinal black cherry, minerals and truffle. Denser and more powerful than the '99 Canon La Gaffeliere, but less suave and slightly tough on the back end.