Bellevue Mondotte, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux
Bellevue Mondotte, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux
A brief history of Bellevue Mondotte, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux
Bellevue Mondotte's story, while more modern compared to ancient Bordeaux estates, nonetheless has a rich and fascinating story. Situated in the Saint-Émilion region, the estate was relatively obscure until 2001 when it was acquired by Gérard Perse, a renowned figure in the Bordeaux wine scene. Perse, already famous for reviving a fellow Saint-Émilion estate, Château Pavie, saw the potential in the small, two-and-a-half-hectare vineyard of Bellevue Mondotte. Under his guidance, the estate underwent a significant transformation, rapidly gaining acclaim for its intense, concentrated wines. Perse introduced meticulous vineyard management such as strict green harvesting and fruit selection for lower, top-quality yields. The vineyards are planted mostly to Merlot with a small quantity of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Careful farming and Innovative winemaking techniques are propelling Bellevue Mondotte into the limelight as a rising star of Saint-Émilion. The estate’s first wine is Bellevue Mondotte.
Bellevue Mondotte, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux overview
Owing to its tiny vine area and vinification style, Bellevue Mondotte is widely regarded as a classic “garagiste” wine. Full-bodied, with an opulent texture and remarkable depth, it’s made up of about 90% Merlot, complemented by Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, embodying the quintessential Saint-Émilion profile. The wine is known for its ageing potential, often requiring several years in the bottle to fully express its complex character. Bellevue Mondotte’s small production and high-quality standards have made its wines highly sought after among collectors and connoisseurs.
Performance
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Understanding Bellevue Mondotte, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux
Located on the eastern plateau of Saint-Émilion, Bellevue Mondotte's vineyard benefits from an excellent microclimate and limestone soils mixed with clay. The vineyard's high elevation provides excellent drainage and exposure, contributing to the grapes' concentration and complexity. The vineyard faces south and the average age of the vines is 45 years. The estate's vine density is among the highest in Bordeaux and the average vine age is over 50 years, contributing to the low yield but high quality of the grapes. The winemaking process at Bellevue Mondotte involves careful selection, with fermentation in temperature-controlled wooden vats followed by ageing in 100% new French oak barrels for about 18 to 24 months. This includes lees maturation to enhance texture and complexity. This wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered to retain vintage and terroir expression.