One of the true blockbusters in the vintage is the 2008 La Mondotte, which is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc brought up in 100% new French oak. This is a huge, rich, incredibly satisfying Saint-Emilion that’s overflowing with notions of blackcurrants, truffles, scorched earth, and forest floor. Loaded with sweet fruit, full-bodied, concentration, and with a finish that won’t quit, it’s a thrill a minute and can be drunk today with incredible pleasure or cellared for another decade.

A brilliant effort, the 2008 La Mondotte is a candidate for “wine of the vintage.” This blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc hit 14% natural alcohol. Yields were 24 hectoliters per hectare. The wine boasts an opaque purple color along with sweet aromas of mulberries, creme de cassis, blackberries, espresso roast, chocolate and toast. Sweet tannin, an opulent mouthfeel and a flamboyant personality make for a prodigious/compelling wine that can be drunk now or cellared for two decades or more. This is an unbelievable 2008 of extravagant intensity and richness. Bravo! Anticipated maturity: now-2025.

With a strong sense of floral notes, the wine is full bodied, silky, polished and earthy. The fruits are ripe, pure, sweet and fresh, leaving you with juicy, sensuous, plums, cherries, truffles, licorice and a whist of espresso. Ass good as this is now, it is still in its youth, so if you have the patience, this should be even better with up to a decade of age. Tasted Sept 2018

Full, deep ruby. Wild, vibrant aromas of black cherry, violet and flinty minerality. Densely packed, sweet and creamy, with uncanny depth to the black fruit and mineral flavors. Almost painful today, with outstanding energy and fruit of steel. Seems high-toned but it works, as the middle palate boasts superb definition and lift. Finishes with palate-staining persistence and tannins virtually hidden by the wine's stuffing and sweetness. Built for the long haul.

Tasted ex-chateau and single blind in Southwold. The La Mondotte 2008 has a very attractive lifted bouquet with lovely floral aromas and fine delineation. The palate has a salty tang on the entry, svelte tannins that are beautifully integrated within the oak, leading to a harmonious, silky finish that are caressing and entrancing. Bon vin! Tasted January 2012.

Deep ruby. Expressive aromas of plum, tobacco and balsamic blackberries stewed in alcohol. Sweet, round and fat on entry, then smooth and polished in the middle, with ripe red cherry and blueberry syrup flavors coating the palate. The long finish has a distinctly creamy quality. Quite opulent in the context of the vintage, but not at all over the top.

Tasted blind. Sweet, rather exotic nose and then very savoury palate. Still a bit severe on the palate. Youthful. (JR)