This vintage red blended cabernet franc (30%) and merlot (70%), covers 8.5 hectares of vineyards on the hillsides of Saint-Hippolyte, to the east of the appellation. Since 2011, it has been owned by the Chinese actress Zhao Wei and her husband Huang « Dragon » Youlong, who have joined the wise advice of the famous winemaker Jean-Claude Berrouet (Château Pétrus), as well the businessman of the world of tourism and great enthusiast Claude Bourguignon.

A new winery has been inaugurated for the 2016 vintage, completely rebuilt by the architect of Pétrus and Angelus, Jean-Pierre Errath.

At a dinner in December with the owners, some international personalities and a mutual friend, I was able to discover the 2015 vintage that instantly seduced me with its floral bouquet.

Surrounded by a dozen prestigious Bordeaux Grands Crus such as Pétrus 2013 (an exceptional mouth tension), Lafite-Rothschild 2010 (with exceptional freshness), Pavie 2013, Haut-Brion 2013 (a fantastic grace), Ausone 2012 (atomizing taste buds), Latour 1995 (superbly powerful), Margaux 2006, Cheval Blanc 2008 (a supersonic mouth), we tasted the blind 2 by 2 all the wines during the sublime dinner supervised by a talented star Catalan Chef Pablo Albuerne who came on this occasion (a great Chinese cuisine revisited with taste, out-of-the-ordinary Iranian caviar and other rare zakouskis).

Château Monlot 2015 was tasted at the end of the meal. I was able to discover the high olfactory and taste qualities of this estate in Saint-Emilion, which has progressed seriously since its acquisition 4 years earlier.

For this 2015 vintage and this moment of intense sharing, my choice of musical chord Wine4Melomanes, turned to a composition of Melody Gardot due to the sensuality and vivacity of the wine in correspondence. This is « It gonna come » from his 2015 album « Currency of Man ».

The analysis of this vintage of 2015 still in its youth, already affirms character.
The fragrances « turpident »(turn around with vivacity) in the chalice around violet, menthol, black fruits (blueberry, moth), pepper and new leather.
This marries the modern blues of the star singer with a singular and deep voice, accompanied by virtuoso electro funk arrangements.

The mouth is balanced, clear, full of cherries and fresh strawberries ripe, the tannins form a fluid and tapered texture then the length is refined on the spices.
This echoes harmoniously by the tasty richness of nectar, with the suspenseful cinematic strings of the piece coupled with the organ monster Hammond B-3 and powerful brass.

A great wine amp of contrast and promising on the coming vintages.

To close this dinner, a few tastings of Macallan whiskies and rare mezcals accompanied by Cohibas made it possible to celebrate the holiday season in a cordial way.

Gan bei! Kà pà!
(To yours! Cul sec!)