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Bellevue-Mondotte 2016

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot

This tiny, 2 hectare vineyard is owned by Gerard Perse of Chateau Pavie and is in effect a "vin de garage" type micro-cuvée that is often even more concentrated than Pavie itself. This blend of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon is matured in 100% new oak.

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Label

Tasting Notes

This almost pure merlot shows a solid core of dark berries and a hint of dark chocolate. Full-bodied, ripe and round with compact tannins. Extremely long and intentional. Gorgeous finish. Drink after 2025.

96
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com (223), February 2019

A barrel sample, the 2016 Bellevue Mondotte has a very deep purple-black color and comes bursting out of the glass with well-defined notes of crushed black plums, blackberry pie and chocolate-covered cherries plus hints of Indian spices, potpourri, roasted meats and wood smoke. The palate is very big, rich, full and built like a brick house with a firm frame of grainy tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long and layered.

95/97
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (Interim No), November 2018

16++
Blackish crimson. Sweet blackberry compôte plus cumin. Lots of flavour but awfully drying on the end. Maybe this will come right eventually but I'd prefer a wine that's capable of giving pleasure in youth too. Grating, grainy tannins.
Drink 2028-2043

16+
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2017

One of the standouts from the Right Bank is the 2016 Bellevue Mondotte, a powerful, full-bodied, structured effort that offers incredible minerality in its blackcurrant, graphite, new leather and burning ember-like aromas and flavors. A blend of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, from tiny yields and brought up all in new oak, it has remarkable purity and freshness, and is locked and loaded on the palate. Give this monument in the making 4-5 years of bottle age and it will cruise for 2-3 decades in cold cellars. 2023 - 2053.

98+
Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com, February 2019

The nose is tight the start of the palate firm and fresh. There is some sweet fruit but it tends to be held back by the tannins the back palate is light and fresh the finish firm lacking richness. 2025-35

84/87
Derek Smedley MW, DerekSmedleyMW.co.uk, April 2017
89
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2017
Read more tasting notes...

The 2016 Bellevue Mondotte is a blend of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon cropped at 18 hectoliters per hectare because of the old vines and the shallow depth of the earth, 20-30 centimeters until the pickaxe hits limestone. It is matured in 100% new oak, and the alcohol level is 14.84% this year. It has an opulent bouquet with ravishing blueberry and black cherry fruit, crushed violets and a touch of glycerin. The palate is silky smooth on the entry, and whereas I had anticipated being overwhelmed by this Bellevue-Mondotte, it actually retains wonderful elegance and precision. You cannot help but be seduced by this Saint Emilion and its satin-like texture. This is not always my favorite wine from Gérard Perse, as my previous scores attest. However, this year the Bellevue-Mondotte has pulled off a very luxuriant 2016 with a greater sense of control, a wine that should drink beautifully for many years. Tasted twice with consistent notes. Drink Date 2025 - 2060

95/97
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (230), April 2017

There’s a vibrance and brilliance that gives this wine focus and energy. Medium body, ultra-fine tannins and a long and beautiful finish. Very fine.

96/97
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, March 2017
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.