A brilliant effort the 2008 La Mondotte is a candidate for "wine of the vintage." This blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc hit 14% natural alcohol. Yields were 24 hectoliters per hectare. The wine boasts an opaque purple color along with sweet aromas of mulberries creme de cassis blackberries espresso roast chocolate and toast. Sweet tannin an opulent mouthfeel and a flamboyant personality make for a prodigious/compelling wine that can be drunk now or cellared for two decades or more. This is an unbelievable 2008 of extravagant intensity and richness. Bravo! Anticipated maturity: now-2025.

This is a step up from the pack with dark plum blackberry fig paste and Black Forest cake aromas and flavors backed by very polished well-integrated structure. Hints of black tea licorice and roasted vanilla bean lace up the beautiful finish. There's some grip as well and this should age nicely in the mid-term. Drink now through 2019.-J.M.