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Bellevue Mondotte 2008

St Emilion, Grand Cru

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Units Size Case size GBP Price: Quantities Buy
12 75cl Bottle Case 12 £720 per Case Case [Add to shopping basket]
Tasting Notes

An extraordinary effort in this vintage, this 2008 was made from lower yields than the 2010 (the 2008's equaled 20 hectoliters per hectare) and is a blend of 90% Merlot and equal parts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon that came in at 14% natural alcohol. Michel Rolland has been the consultant for all the Perse estates since their acquisition, and the 2008's fruit was harvested very late, October 20. The result is a backward, dense purple-colored wine revealing a crushed rock-like liqueur along with highly extracted, massive flavors of black currants, sweet cherries, licorice and toast. This full-bodied effort requires 5-6 years of bottle age and should last for 25-30 years. (95+)

Score: 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2016-2040 03 May 2011

Good luck trying to find any of this wine, even with the worldwide economic crisis. From low yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare, this blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon grown in the limestone plateau of the so-called Cote Pavie emerges from a 5-acre vineyard planted with 46-year-old vines. As usual, the Perse viticulture is impeccable, with crop-thinning, de-leafing, and hand rather than machine harvesting. This vineyard was harvested on October 20th, and the result is a compelling wine of great depth, richness, and aging potential. The dense purple color is accompanied by an extraordinary nose of charcoal, spring flowers, black raspberries, and creme de cassis. As my tasting notes read, this is “amazing stuff,” with incredibly sweet tannins as well as the vintage’s freshness and crispness, which makes it very different from recent vintages such as 2006, 2005, 2001, and 2000. This wine should be forgotten for a decade, and drunk over the following 30+ years.

Score: 96 - 98

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2019-2049 30 April 2009

A blend of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon cropped at just 25hl/ha and aged in 80% new oak, this has another very pure cassis-driven nose, although it appears to be more restrained than usual, fourth-gear rather than fifth. The palate is full-bodied with thick, saturated tannins, well balanced though, no rough edges here with a super-smooth cassis, crème de menthe finish. Like others it completely lacquers the mouth - long-term Saint Emilion.

Score: 91 - 93

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 April 2009

Shows aniseed, licorice and exotic fruit on the nose. Full-bodied, with lots of concentration and a long, rich finish. Very reserved.

Score: 89 - 92

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2009

90% Cabernet, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc. Rich, sweet dark damsons. Savoury, spicy. Very, very firm but not hard. Mouth-gripping at this point but has the fruit layer to fill it out in time.

Score: 17

Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2013-2020 01 April 2009