Blackberries and blueberries with chalkboard and dark earth aromas. Flowers, too. Lead pencil. Full-bodied and very deep in the palate, which is reserved and texturally sophisticated. Chalky, too. Silky and very polished. 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc. From organically grown grapes.

The 2022 La Mondotte is complex, vibrant and beautifully layered. Inky dark fruit, graphite, lavender, dried herbs and bittersweet chocolate abound in a Mondotte that impresses with its energy and vibrancy. A very early start to harvest and a pulled back approach in the cellar yielded a Mondotte that is wonderfully dynamic in its presence.

Coming from pure limestone soils just above Château Pavie, the 2022 La Mondotte is inky hued and medium to full-bodied, with a concentrated yet surprisingly supple, elegant profile. Yields were healthy in the Comtes von Neipperg lineup of wines, and I think that contributes to the more open, supple, elegant style here. Nevertheless, it's beautifully textured, has good concentration, ripe tannins, and tons of limestone character on the finish. This beautiful, layered, elegant Saint-Emilion will be drinkable right out of the gate yet still evolve gracefully.

Fresh flowers of lilies, peonies and roses on the opening aromatics, heading towards cherry pit and rapberry puree fruits, this works within the vintage but gives quite a different expression of it, with nuance and charm. Ludovic de Niepperg winemaker, who previously worked at Harlan in Napa before returning to the family estates. 40% new oak, 45hl/h yield, harvest Septmber 3 to 23. Certified organic since 2014, no till farming since 2022. An estate sat between Troplong Mondot and Tertre Roteboeuf, on silt-sand and clay soils above limestone mother rock, with vines aged between 30 and 60 years old.

The 2022 La Mondotte is deep and concentrated, unwinding in the glass with brooding aromas of wild berries, licorice, violets and black truffle. Full-bodied, ample and layered, it's deep and youthfully introverted, its concentrated core of fruit girdled by lively acids and sweet, beautifully powdery tannins.

The 2022 La Mondotte was picked 3 to 22 September at 45hL/ha and matured in 40% new oak. It doesn't quite have the charm of the Canon-la-Gaffelière at the moment, though a pleasant oyster shell note percolates through. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, fresh and quite elegant. Tart red fruit toward the linear finish, a dash of spice on the aftertaste. Delicious.