La Mondotte

La Mondotte is a small Bordeaux producer in the famous appellation of Saint-Émilion. It makes a single red grand vin from Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The limited quantities of its production and critical acclaim for the last two decades' worth of vintages have propelled it to being one of the most popular and most expensive wines in the region.

Dating back to the 19th Century, it was mentioned in the second edition of the Bordeaux directory published by Cocks and Féret in 1868. Its modern prestige, however, dates back to 1996, when it completed its own winery after decades of being made in the neighboring property Château Canon La Gaffelière – both estates, along with others in Brodeaux, are owned by the Neipperg family. At one point, Mondotte's vineyard was going to be absorbed by Gaffelière, but this was blocked by the INAO as Gaffelière had a grand cru classé status and Mondotte did not. Instead, Mondotte relocated production to its own winery beginning with the 1996 vintage. Mondotte also changed its name from Château La Mondotte to the simple La Mondotte, introducing a new label and bottle at the same time to mark the distinction. In the 2012 review of the Saint-Émilion classification, both Mondotte and Château Canon La Gaffelière were promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé status.

La Mondotte has a small 4.5-hectare (11-acre) vineyard planted roughly 75 percent to Merlot and 25 percent to Cabernet Franc. The vineyard is on clay limestone with high silt content and rocky subsoil, which results in good drainage and encourages deep-rooted vines. Planted on a slope, its exposure promotes early ripening even by Merlot standards in the region. Malolactic fermentation and aging takes place in 100-percent new French oak barrels on lees. Total barrel aging ranges from 18-24 months depending on the vintage. Fewer than 1000 cases are produced annually.

Ownership: Vignobles Comtes von Neipperg