2001 La Mondotte Premier Grand Cru Classe B, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Made in an elegant, surprisingly low key style for La Mondotte, the concentrated, delicious, opaque purple-colored 2001 builds incrementally on the palate. An impressive bouquet of black cherries, creme de cassis, toast, and minerals is followed by a medium to full-bodied effort with nicely integrated wood, acidity, and tannin as well as a long finish. This is a brilliant wine, and one of the finest efforts of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2017.

The 2001 La Mondotte, which I had tasted twice before, has a pleasant bouquet of raspberry coulis and crushed strawberry scents, hints of peppermint and orange blossom emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with simple red berry fruit, maraschino cherries and touches of blueberry, fine acidity and dark chocolate and espresso notes toward the finish. This was always a more elegant style of La Mondotte, one that did not appeal to me in its youth, but does now. Cropped at 20hl/ha and matured in 100% new oak for 18 months.

Saturated dark ruby. Aromas of currant, tobacco, graphite and mint. Moderately fat and sweet in the mouth, with lively, primary flavors of violet, licorice and shoe polish and a slight greenness. Not nearly as ripe or dense as the huge 2000. Finishes with very good length and some rather chewy, slightly drying tannins.

Intense. Definitely elegant. Dry end, but very confident. After Bellevue-Mondotte, it seems very fine; tannins are there in substantial measure. Rather gentle and civilised. Lively, fresh. Satin. (JR)