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Bellevue-Mondotte 2008

Tasting Notes

An extraordinary effort in this vintage, this 2008 was made from lower yields than the 2010 (the 2008's equaled 20 hectoliters per hectare) and is a blend of 90% Merlot and equal parts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon that came in at 14% natural alcohol. Michel Rolland has been the consultant for all the Perse estates since their acquisition, and the 2008's fruit was harvested very late, October 20. The result is a backward, dense purple-colored wine revealing a crushed rock-like liqueur along with highly extracted, massive flavors of black currants, sweet cherries, licorice and toast. This full-bodied effort requires 5-6 years of bottle age and should last for 25-30 years.

95
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (194), May 2011

Shows aniseed, licorice and exotic fruit on the nose. Full-bodied, with lots of concentration and a long, rich finish. Very reserved

89/92
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, April 2009

90% Cabernet, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc.Rich, sweet dark damsons. Savoury, spicy. Very, very firm but not hard. Mouth-gripping at this point but has the fruit layer to fill it out in time. (JH)

17+
Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2009

Good luck trying to find any of this wine, even with the worldwide economic crisis. From low yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare, this blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon grown in the limestone plateau of the so-called Cote Pavie emerges from a 5-acre vineyard planted with 46-year-old vines. As usual, the Perse viticulture is impeccable, with crop-thinning, de-leafing, and hand rather than machine harvesting. This vineyard was harvested on October 20th, and the result is a compelling wine of great depth, richness, and aging potential. The dense purple color is accompanied by an extraordinary nose of charcoal, spring flowers, black raspberries, and creme de cassis. As my tasting notes read, this is "amazing stuff," with incredibly sweet tannins as well as the vintage's freshness and crispness, which makes it very different from recent vintages such as 2006, 2005, 2001, and 2000. This wine should be forgotten for a decade, and drunk over the following 30+ years.

96/98+
Robert Parker, RobertParker.com (182), April 2009
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.