Tasting Notes
Robert Parker 97
The 2020 Bellevue Mondotte is made from 100% Merlot, with an alcohol of 14.92% and a pH of 3.54. It is aging in French oak barriques, 90% new. Displaying an opaque purple-black color, it sashays out of the glass with flamboyant notes of plum preserves, blackberry compote and blueberry pie, plus hints of hoisin, Chinese five spice and camphor with a touch of dried rose petals. The concentrated, seductive, full-bodied palate delivers layer upon layer of black and blue fruit preserves, accented by exotic spices and supported with firm, ripe, rounded tannins plus fantastic freshness. The finish is epically long and achingly fragrant. Wow!
Anticipated maturity: 2027-2060
James Suckling 98-99
This is a terrific wine that has everything, from seamless texture to great depth of fruit. Full-bodied, yet agile and energetic. Pure merlot. One of the best I have had from here.
Jeb Dunnuck 95-97+
Coming from a tiny site above Pavie and slightly deeper clay soils over limestone, the 100% Merlot 2020 Bellevue Mondotte is a medium to full-bodied, rich, concentrated Saint-Emilion that shows the straight, focused style of the vintage yet brings beautiful mid-palate depth and richness. Cassis, blueberries, crushed rocks, violets, and classy oak all define the bouquet, and it packs loads of fruit, tannins, and apparent minerality on the palate. It’s another killer wine from the team at Pavie.
Vinous 95-97
The 2020 Bellevue Mondotte is a dark, brooding Saint-Émilion, from just two hectares of vineyards. Graphite, gravel, scorched earth, inky dark fruit, chocolate and cloves stain the palate. Deep and explosive, with tremendous energy, the Bellevue Mondotte is magnificent and also one of the most distinctive wines in the appellation. In 2020, it’s 100% Merlot, as the small parcels of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon that once were used here have been budded over to Merlot. What a wine!
Anticipated maturity: 2030-2050