Personalise your experience
Change your country, language and currency here whenever you wish.
|
|
|
Must-See Châteaux |
|
|
|
|
|
|
A late recognition - Premier Grand Cru Classé B of Saint-Émilion
Nestled to the east of Saint-Émilion, on a unique clay-limestone plateau, La Mondotte is an estate of just 4.5 hectares that has rapidly risen to the rank of Premiers Grands Crus Classés of the appellation. Its small size, exceptional terroir and the viticultural expertise of the von Neipperg family have made this estate a true benchmark, combining finesse, power and minerality in each of its wines. La Mondotte produces rare and sought-after wines, particularly appreciated by lovers of great Bordeaux crus.
The history of La Mondotte dates back to the early 19th century. Mentioned in several historical works, this small plot is an integral part of the rich winemaking tradition of Saint-Émilion. However, it only truly established itself on the international scene from 1996 onwards, under the impetus of Stephan von Neipperg.
In 1971, Count Joseph-Hubert von Neipperg, from an ancient noble family originating from the Württemberg valley, acquired La Mondotte at the same time as other prestigious estates such as Château Canon La Gaffelière and Clos de l'Oratoire. During the early years, La Mondotte did not receive particular attention, as it was vinified using the facilities of Canon La Gaffelière.
It was during the revision of the Saint-Émilion wine classification in 1996 that everything changed. The Wine Commission required La Mondotte to have its own infrastructure. Stephan von Neipperg then decided to transform this small property into a full-scale laboratory, where he applied the most innovative viticultural techniques to create an exceptional wine. Under the direction of oenologist Stéphane Derenoncourt, La Mondotte revealed its extraordinary potential from its very first vintage in 1996, and quickly achieved worldwide renown.
In 2012, the ultimate recognition came when La Mondotte was promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé "B". Since then, the estate has been recognised for the quality of its wines, which are distinguished by great concentration, refined elegance, and unique minerality, reflecting its exceptional terroir.
The 2009 and 2005 vintages of Château La Mondotte stand out with 99/100 from Robert Parker, while the 2000 vintage achieves a 98+/100, confirming the quality of this prestigious wine.
La Mondotte benefits from a rare and precious terroir, located on the eastern plateau of Saint-Émilion. The vineyard rests on clay-limestone soil rich in silt, with a rocky subsoil. This type of soil allows for exceptional water regulation, even in the driest years, thanks to optimal natural drainage. The depth of the vine roots, which anchor firmly into this rocky substrate, contributes to the complexity and minerality of the wines produced.
The La Mondotte vineyard is planted with 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, noble grape varieties that thrive fully in this unique terroir. The average age of the vines is 60 years, and some of them even reach 70 years. This heritage of old vines, combined with very low yields (often below 20 hectolitres per hectare), produces wines of great aromatic concentration.
The farming practices at La Mondotte are deeply respectful of the environment. Since 2014, the estate has been certified in Organic Farming, following a model of sustainable viticulture close to the principles of biodynamics. Soil cultivation, cover cropping, organic amendments, as well as techniques such as bud removal, leaf thinning, and green harvesting, are scrupulously applied throughout the year to promote optimal ripening of the grapes.
The winemaking philosophy at La Mondotte is simple: to allow the wine to fully reveal the expression of its terroir. Everything begins with manual harvesting, carried out in small crates to preserve the integrity of the grapes. After an initial selection in the vineyard, the bunches are sorted again upon arrival, before and after destemming. No crushing is performed, and the grapes are gently transported by conveyor belt to avoid any premature oxidation.
Alcoholic fermentation takes place in thermoregulated wooden vats, allowing for long macerations (from 28 to 35 days depending on the vintage), enabling a progressive and controlled extraction of aromas, colour, and tannins. Extraction is carried out primarily by pneumatic punch-down, a gentle method that respects the integrity of the berries.
Malolactic fermentation and ageing take place in 100% new French oak barrels, where the wine rests on fine lees for approximately 18 months. Depending on the vintage, a fining or light filtration may be carried out before bottling, in order to preserve the purity and elegance of the wine.
La Mondotte produces only a single cuvée, but it is a true concentration of excellence. Drawn from the estate's finest plots, the wine of La Mondotte is a cru of great intensity, combining aromatic richness, silky texture, and pronounced minerality.
Each vintage of La Mondotte is unique and reflects both the character of the terroir and the climatic conditions of the year. The low yields, combined with meticulous attention paid to every stage of the winemaking process, bestow upon these wines a rare complexity and remarkable longevity.
Saint-Émilion, jewel of the Bordeaux wine region, has produced over the years vintages of exceptional quality, delighting lovers of great wines. Among the legendary vintages, one can cite 1947, 1959, and 1961, true icons that have marked the history of Bordeaux wines. The celebrated 1982 remains an undisputed reference. The following decades were no less impressive, with remarkable vintages such as 1990, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2005, all acclaimed for their richness and ageing potential. More recently, the vintages 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020 have shone for their balance and depth, reaffirming the reputation of Saint-Émilion as one of Bordeaux's most sought-after appellations, where each new year continues to captivate lovers of great wines with its consistent quality and elegance.
The classification of Premiers Grands Crus Classés B of Saint-Émilion, revised every 10 years, highlights exceptional châteaux from the right bank vineyard. Among those that continue to feature in this prestigious category, one finds emblematic names such as Château Beau-Séjour Bécot, Château Beauséjour Héritiers Duffau Lagarrosse, Château Bélair-Monange, Château Canon, Château Pavie-Macquin, Château Troplong-Mondot, Château Trottevieille, and Clos Fourtet. Others, promoted in 2012, such as Château Canon-La-Gaffelière, Château Larcis-Ducasse, Château La Mondotte, and Château Valandraud, also illustrate the ever-rising quality of the region's wines. On the other hand, some châteaux are no longer classified, such as La Gaffelière (since 2022) and Magdelaine (since 2006). This constant renewal guarantees the excellence and evolution of the Saint-Émilion vineyard, where tradition and innovation blend harmoniously.
La Mondotte is a true jewel of Saint-Émilion, an exceptional wine that combines the power of Merlot, the complexity of Cabernet Franc, and the unique minerality of its clay-limestone terroir. Thanks to the passionate efforts of Stephan von Neipperg and his team, this estate, certified in Organic Farming, produces wines of unmatched finesse, marked by aromatic depth and silky texture. Each cuvée is an invitation to discover the pure and refined expression of the Saint-Émilion plateau. With limited yields and a confidential production, La Mondotte is a rare and precious wine, sought after by enthusiasts the world over.
COLLECTION NEAR PARIS & VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS
Free collection in our warehouse near central Paris (92)