Grapes for this wine come from the plateau with yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare. Composed of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon with a 3.5 pH and 14.56% alcohol, the deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Bellevue Mondotte slowly unfurls to offer profound scents of chocolate-covered cherries, preserved plums, blackberry compote and espresso, with hints of candied violets, tapenade, cast-iron pan and unsmoked cigars. The full-bodied, opulently fruited palate is laden with black fruit and earthy layers, supported by a solid foundation of firm, grainy tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing long and perfumed. It's tempting to drink now, but give it a good 5 years in bottle for maximum impact and drink it over the next 25 years or more.
97+ points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (Mar 2021)
This is really refined with intense tannins that are wonderfully polished, yet powerful. So much crushed stone, mineral, blackberry and blueberry with black-olive and lavender undertones. It’s full-bodied with composure and purpose and a long finish. Chalk undertones. Tight at the end. Small production. Try after 2025.
97 points, James Suckling (Mar 2021)
One of the more primordial, backward wines in the vintage, the 2018 Bellevue Mondotte is 90% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, brought up in new barrels. Dense purple-hued, it delivers a mineral-drench bouquet of chocolate-covered currants and black cherries as well as notes of camphor, loamy earth, graphite, and violets. Full-bodied and beautifully concentrated on the palate, it still has the vintage's pure, elegant, light on its feet style as well as plenty of background oak, ripe, silky tannins, and again, this wonderful sense of minerality. The cellar will be your friend. I'd give bottles at least 5-7 years, and it should keep for 30-40 years or more. It's an incredible Saint-Emilion.
96+ points, Jeb Dunnuck (Mar 2021)
The 2018 Bellevue Mondotte is a full-throttle, exotic Saint-Émilion. Inky dark fruit, gravel, spice, mint, lavender, bittersweet chocolate and black pepper are some of the many aromas and flavors that open as this extravagantly ripe Saint-Émilion shows off its allure. Sumptuous and racy, with firm tannins underpinning it all, the 2018 dazzles right out of the gate. I can't wait to see how it ages.
96 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Mar 2021)
Suave and alluring toast and melted licorice notes draped over a core of warmed plum, raspberry and blackberry confiture flavors make this a real headturner. Very polished and focused in feel, thanks to a buried graphite hint that keeps it all honest. Beautiful wine. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2022 through 2038.
96 points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (Mar 2021)
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