Chateau Bellevue Mondotte 2003

Description

Partly an enclave of Chateau Pavie Decesse, on the Saint-Emilion clay limestone plateau, Chateau Bellevue-Mondotte is tiny in size, but has an immense terroir.Geological characteristics Overlooking the Dordogne valley from a height of 80 meters, this estate combines all the necessary characteristics for producing high quality wines meagre soil, excellent south-facing sun expo- sure, fine natural drainage due to its position on a slope, protec- tion from frost damage, and shelter from northerly winds.Viticulture Green harvesting, with an initial leaf thinning on the eastern side of the vines in late June and a second in mid-August on the western side.Vinification The grapes are hand-picked and hand sorted. Alcoholic fermen- tation is triggered by indigenous yeast in temperature-controlled wooden vats. The wine is kept on the skins for 3 to 5 weeks. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel.Chateau Bellevue-Mondotte is barrel-aged for six months on its lees 100% of new oak for a total of aproximatively 24 months. Final blending takes place just before bottling, and the wine is neither fined nor filtered. – Chateau Bellevue Mondotte