Château Bellevue Mondotte, St Emilion Grand Cru,

The 2009 Bellevue Mondotte is made from 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. There are ultra ripe almost porty notes of breakfast jam, clear black and blue fruit, heady liqueur fruit and cedar. This possesses massive extraction and power; an enormous wine with colossal tannins. The inky/blue/purple-colored 2009 Bellevue Mondotte offers aromas of creme de cassis, mulberries, licorice, white flowers, forest floor and candied cherries. Extremely thick, rich and full-bodied, it is nearly overwhelming in its textural richness, colossal concentration and mind-blowing finish that lasts nearly a minute. Undeniably massive and over-sized, but perfectly balanced, it is made for those looking for something to put away for 30-50+ years. One has to admire a proprietor who is making a wine for the history books, not for near-term gratification.