CHÂTEAU MONBOUSQUET

The 2017 Monbousquet, which is matured in new oak, was picked from 18 to 22 September. It has a broody nose of dark berry fruit, a little earthy in style, certainly less opulent than previous vintages and missing a little harmony. The palate is medium-bodied, quite masculine and rustic in style with a smear of dark chocolate towards the finish that feels a little disjointed with the fruit. Despite their efforts this vintage is compromised by the frost and it should be consumed over the next four or five years. Drinking range: 2020 - 2024 Rating: 87-89 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2018)

The top wine from this estate of the Perse Family is the 2017 Monbousquet. The 2017 is the normal blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in roughly 70% new barrels. While the estate kept the blend (and quality) the same as past years, they had to make a draconian selection and lost two-thirds of the production. A more medium-bodied, elegant example of this cuvée, it has rock solid notes of black cherries, cassis, graphite, and spring flowers. Seamless, elegant, and silky on the palate, with terrific purity, it’s going to gain weight with time in bottle and should easily be an outstanding wine that’s more than worth checking out. Rating: 90-92 Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com (Apr 2018)

60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. 50% new oak. Dusty dark fruit. High acidity seems to highlight the tannins and the oak char. Very crisp, lots of fruit, just slightly aggressive and hard on the finish. I much preferred the Monbousquet white. Drinking range: 2024 - 2030 Rating: 15.5 Julia Harding MW, www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2018)