<p>In 2003, this tiny vineyard produced a wine with a beautifully intense ruby-red colour that is still quite young. The bouquet is complex, with hints of juicy black fruit jam as well as overtones of cocoa and a certain smoky quality that comes from ageing in new barrels. The palate is straightforward and powerful, and the tannin is beautifully rich and ripe. Full-bodied and suave.</p><p>There is something of a Mediterranean style to this wine due to the heat wave that summer. This is why it is best served at cool room temperature (16-18°C). 2003 Bellevue Mondotte has a very long aftertaste, the sign of a great terroir. It has much to gain by decanting and needs a further 1-2 years to come together, and will keep 5-10 without any problem. This is a beautifully made wine full of promise.</p><p><strong>98 Points, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate:</strong></p><p>"An exquisite jewel in Chantal and Gerard Perse’s Right Bank empire, Bellevue-Mondotte is a tiny, 5-acre parcel of 45-year-old vines planted on the limestone plateau above Pavie-Decesse and Pavie-Macquin. It is composed of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. I tasted the 2003 on three separate occasions, one of which merited a three-digit rating. Sadly, there are only 4,000 bottles of this prodigious effort."</p><p>"Possessing relatively high alcohol (14.5%) for a Bordeaux, it is an amazing blend made from 15 hectoliters per hectare. A dense, viscous-looking purple color is accompanied by a sweet perfume of blackberries, espresso roast, fried lard, and pain grille. Full-bodied and massively rich with decent acidity and plenty of structure as well as tannin, this youthful 2003 should hit its stride in 3-5 years, and last for three decades. This may be what the great 1929s or 1947s tasted like at age three." (April 2006)</p><p><strong>92 Points, Wine Spectator:</strong></p><p>"Beautiful aromas of blackberry, coffee and cherry follow through to a full-bodied palate, with soft, round tannins and a long, rich finish. Supersilky. Best after 2007. 480 cases made. –JS" (7/31/2006)</p><p><font color="#cc0000"><strong>Most discounts and promotions are not applicable on this premium wine.</strong></font></p>
