From the tiny luxury jewel of the Neipperg family, the 2005 La Mondotte is composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc from a fabulous terroir. Super-rich and dense purple in color, it represents a concentrated essence in both its aromatic and flavor profile of blackcurrant, black cherry, earth and spice. Full-bodied, pure, and again, possessing sweet, sweet tannin and a tremendously deep, full, layered personality. This is another great example of La Mondotte, which should drink well for 30-40 years.

(14.5% alcohol) Bright ruby-red. Extravagantly ripe nose dominated by black raspberry, blackberry, coffee and bitter chocolate. The palate offers a rare combination of freshness, sweetness and power, with an extraordinary solidity and richness to the black raspberry and truffle flavors but also great vinosity. Wonderfully full and concentrated wine with an explosive back half. This offers great early balance but is built for the long haul. I prefer this to the Canon La Gaffeliere today, just as this wine was clearly superior in the heat-wave vintage of 2003. Owner von Neipperg describes the 2005 Mondotte as "the best wine of my life."

Tasted blind. Very dark crimson. Sophisticated nose in which Merlot clearly plays a part. Very mellow and round. Very flattering balance, with much more evolved fruit than most. Long and luscious. But precocious. (JR)