La Mondotte: Tasting & Drinking
There is no question in my mind as to the validity of Comte Stephan von Neipperg and La Mondotte within the St Emilion firmament. The portfolio of estates managed by Stephan are admirable, and on occasion some of the wines produced at these domaines have shown up much grander names when placed side-by-side in blind tastings. The wines are well made, rich, polished, concentrated and have great character.
This is certainly true of La Mondotte, surely the richest and most concentrated of all. The estate burst onto the scene with the 1996 vintage, in an era when the garagistes – such as Château de Valandraud, Château Rol Valentin and Le Dôme – ruled the roost. In subsequent years the style has been maintained and fine-tuned, although the wines made here today remain dark and substantial, true to the Neipperg style. Most importantly for Stephan von Neipperg, the wines remain appealing to the influential critics; this is an estate which is no stranger to glowing tasting notes and high scores, and high prices naturally follow.
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