Chateau La Mondotte 2009

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Perfect, the 2009 La Mondotte boasts an inky/black/purple color as well as sumptuous notes of incense, graphite, licorice, black cherries, blackberries, cedar and forest floor. It is extraordinarily thick and voluptuous with a cool climate minerality that gives the wine an uplift and freshness that is surprising in view of its massive fruit level and high extract. The tannins are abundant, but sweet and well-integrated, as are the acidity, alcohol and wood components. An infant at present, this 2009 requires 6-8 years of cellaring and should keep for three decades."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Intensely concentrated, the wine combines all its power with a strong sensation of minerality, layers of ripe, sweet, velvet textured fruits, salty tannins and purity. The wine lingers and expands on the palate for close to 60 seconds. Still young, give this stunner another 7-8 years and it will repay your patience with an incredible tasting experience."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Plum pie, with hints of espresso, blueberries and orange peel on the nose. Full body, with velvety tannins and a fruity finish. Wonderful depth of fruit and balance to this young wine. Perhaps the best ever from here. Try in 2018."

WEINWISSER: "80 % Merlot, 20 % Cabernet Franc, Ertrag: 17 hl/ha. Wuchtiges Bouquet, Cassis, Preiselbeeren, Mokka, exotische Hölzer, kandierte Früchte und Spuren von Himbeerdrops, wirkt trotz der extremen Reife frisch. Ein wahnsinniges Fruchtkonzentrat, das eigentlich im rotbeerigen Bereich bleibt und dann doch irgendwie nach Cassis schmeckt, noch mehlig und muskulös. Ein Rohling, den der weitere Ausbau noch schleifen wird."

FALSTAFF: "Feine Brombeerfrucht, Edelholzanklänge, sehr facettenreich, Orangenzesten, ein Hauch von Zedern, mineralisch. Stoffig, hochelegant, feiner Nougat, finessenreich, zeigt eine wunderbare Frische, schokoladiger Nachhall, sehr gute Länge."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This is grace and power, delivering stunning Lapsang souchong tea and pain d'épices aromatics, followed by incredibly lush, yet refined blackberry, steeped black currant and dark plum sauce flavors. The long, velvety finish hangs perfectly, with buried minerality giving just the crease for definition. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2015 through 2030. 690 cases made."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Generous, rich and ripe, this boasts black fruits and sweet tannins. With layers of new wood, this is a wine that shows attractive fruitiness now and has considerable aging ability."