Appellations

Monbousquet 2014

St Emilion, Grand Cru Classé

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Tasting Notes

The 2014 Monbousquet offers a rather broody nose at first, opening gradually with black rather than red fruit, retaining that subtle cedar-like note that I remarked upon out of barrel. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, quite compact and perhaps just missing some of the "flow" and depth I have found on better vintages of Monbousquet. It may endure a sultry period before opening up, so I would not broach this for three or four years before opening.

Score: 90 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2021-2035 Date: 31 March 2017

The Château Monbouquet 2014 is a blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon cropped at 35 hectoliters per hectare, matured in 60% new oak and the remainder one-year old barrels. The alcohol comes in at a modest 12.86%. The nose is very backward at the moment with tarry black fruit mixed with cedar reluctantly emerging with aeration. The palate is chewy on the entry but it softens towards the middle with light tannin and a nicely balanced on the finish. Once the aromas begin to gain a little chutzpah, this will be a fine, more classically inspired Monbousquet compared to recent vintages.

Score: 89 - 91 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2029 Date: 01 April 2015

Very aromatic and fresh with lovely brightness and perfume. Medium to full body, fine and silky tannins and a bright finish. Ultra-fine and balanced Monbousquet. Better after 2020 but already very pretty.

Score: 93 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 13 February 2017

This is beautiful and juicy with refined tannins, berries, earth and spices. Hints of walnut. Medium to full body. Lovely.

Score: 90 - 91 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 31 March 2015

Not shy, with hefty fig paste and blackberry pâte de fruit notes backed by a rumble of bramble, ganache and licorice snap. Underneath roils a base layer of tobacco and graphite that should slowly surface with time. May have pushed the extraction envelope ever so slightly, but this keeps it together in the end. Best from 2022 through 2032.

Score: 93 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2022-2032 Date: 11 January 2017

A saturated version, with plum, cassis and cherry flavors that drape themselves over the dense but velvety structure. The long, apple wood-infused finish shows some surprising heft for the vintage.

Score: 92 - 95 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Date: 01 April 2015

The 2014 Monbousquet is wonderfully showy, radiant and seductive, with striking purity in its fruit and fabulous overall balance. Raspberry jam, white flowers, cinnamon and pomegranate are bold and racy in the glass. The 2014 is opulent and quite forward, but never heavy in any way. Above all else, it is the wine's exquisite balance that speaks today. The blend is 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Score: 91 - 94 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Date: 05 May 2015

Dark crimson. With noticeably more freshness than the Ch Lusseau from the same stable. A little green and chewy on the end but it’s certainly voluptuous. A bit drying on the end. Too austere for real pleasure now. Fast fade.

Score: 16 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2020-2030 Date: 13 April 2015