Tried these two over the last few days:
1. Lagier-Meredith Mondeuse MtVeeder/NapaVlly (14.1%) 2013: Very dark color w/ some bricking; very strong pungent/herbal/rosemary/thyme classic Mondeuse bit Savoie-like some toasty/oak bit earthy/loamy quite spicy/complex nose; quite tart/tangy strong herbal/pungent/thyme/rosemary some toasty/oak bit blackberry rather complex quite structured/angular classic MtVeeder/spicy some complex flavor w/ ample tangy tannins; very long/lingering quite pungent/herbal/thyme/rosemary some blackberry/Mondeuse/licorice bit earthy/loamy hard/angular finish; a rather hard/angular/tannic red that speaks strongly of Mondeuse ; may be at an akward stage or may not be evolving well; rather hard/angular on the palate.
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2. Lagier-Meredith Mondeuse MtVeeder/NapaVlly (14.3%) 2014: Dark color w/ slight bricking; strong herbal/thyme/rosemary/pungent light toasty/oak some earthy/Alpine floral/Savoie quite aromatic rather exotic/complex nose; lightly tart/tangy strong herbal/thyme/rosemary/pungent bit floral/Alpine fairly smooth/lush/ripe light toasty/oak slight tangy/metallic fairly complex flavor w/ light smooth tannins; very long/lingering herbal/pungent/thyme/rosemary finish; not nearly as hard as the '13; quite an interesting expression of Mondeuse & can use a few more yrs.
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. Mondeuse is, of course, the classic red of France's Savoie region. It has, to me a distinct herbal/pungent character that suggests rosemary & thyme. It was for yrs propogated by FPS as Refosco, mis-identified from the Jackson Experimental Station, but was shown by DNA to be Mondeuse.
Steve & Carole grow MondeuseNoir because it is the bastard uncle of Syrah, of which MondeuseBlanche is one of the parents.
Their Mondeuse is a world-class expression of the variety. It shows the distinct character of Mondeuse, is usually more structured than that from the Savoie, and not quite as earthy/loamy/rustic as those from the Savoie.
Tom