The 2014 La Mondotte is no lightweight either and while it comes in behind the otherworldly 2015, it’s one of the gems in the vintage. A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc from a single parcel of limestone/clay soils in the sweet spot of the appellation, it reveals a saturated ruby color as well as a brilliant perfume of blackberry liqueur, Asian spices, graphite, and background oak. With a full-bodied, supple, voluptuous mouthfeel, impressive mid-palate density, ripe tannin, and a great, great finish, it’s a blockbuster from a vintage that yielded few superstars. Give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the following 15-20 years.

One of the highlights of the vintage, Stephan von Neipperg's 2014 La Mondotte flows out of the glass with vertical structure, firm, incisive tannins add pedigree to burn. Layers of exotic dark red and black hued fruit open up in the glass, followed by hints of lavender, smoke, dried flowers and licorice. The flavors are bold in an explosive, pulsating St.-Emilion that captures the very best qualities of the year. At its best, La Mondotte can be powerful, finessed and sensual, all qualities that come through in the 2014. The blend is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc that spend 38 days on the skins.

The 2014 La Mondotte has a lucid, purple color with fat tears on the glass. It feels rich, opulent and rather ostentatious on the nose, although you cannot deny the purity of fruit: cassis and blueberry at first, then a touch of cherry liqueur. The palate is full-bodied with an almost viscous opening. This is a dense and powerful La Mondotte, almost muscular, perhaps not quite as velvety smooth as other vintages, but very spicy and peppery towards the persistent finish. It does not quite convey the complexity that I have found on other vintages, although several years in bottle should see this develop into something less oppressive and more interesting.