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Bellevue Mondotte 2003

St Emilion, Grand Cru

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Units Size Case size GBP Price: Quantities Buy
12 75cl Bottle Case 12 £1,900 per Case Case [Add to shopping basket]
Tasting Notes

An exquisite jewel in Chantal and Gerard Perse’s Right Bank empire, Bellevue-Mondotte is a tiny, 5-acre parcel of 45-year-old vines planted on the limestone plateau above Pavie-Decesse and Pavie-Macquin. It is composed of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. I tasted the 2003 on three separate occasions, one of which merited a three-digit rating. Sadly, there are only 4,000 bottles of this prodigious effort. Possessing relatively high alcohol (14.5%) for a Bordeaux, it is an amazing blend made from 15 hectoliters per hectare. A dense, viscous-looking purple color is accompanied by a sweet perfume of blackberries, espresso roast, fried lard, and pain grille. Full-bodied and massively rich with decent acidity and plenty of structure as well as tannin, this youthful 2003 should hit its stride in 3-5 years, and last for three decades. This may be what the great 1929s or 1947s tasted like at age three.

Score: 98

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2009-2036 30 April 2006

Microscopic yields of 15 hectoliters per hectare and a seven week maceration have produced 4,000 bottles of wine with a whoppingly high (by Bordeaux standards) 13.5% alcohol. Although it does not possess the complexity and minerality of Pavie, it is a beautiful effort offering pure decadence, extravagant richness, and a voluptuous, full-bodied style. A lovely nose of flowers, blackberries, cherry liqueur, cedar, and spice box is accompanied by an opulent, viscous claret with surprising freshness as well as elegance. This large-scaled 2003 has low acidity, and thus can be drunk young or cellared for 15+ years.

Score: 93 - 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2005-2020 30 April 2005

A 5-acre jewel purchased by Gerard and Chantal Perse recently, this vineyard is planted on pure limestone soils above Pavie-Decesse and Pavie-Macquin. The average age of the vines is 45 years. Made from microscopic yields of 15 hectoliters per hectare, the 2003 (4,000 bottles produced) is a blend of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a dense ruby/purple-colored, full-bodied effort of formidable intensity. With provocative notes of melted licorice, incense, Asian spices, and blackberry as well as cherry liqueur, it possesses moderately high tannin but low acidity. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018.

Score: 93 - 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2008-2018 30 April 2004