2022, Château Monbousquet, SAINT-ÉMILION

Bordeaux Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc.

The 2022 Monbousquet is gorgeous. Rich, deep and explosive, the 2022 offers up an exotic mélange of sumptuous red/purplish fruit, lavender, mint and rose petal. Curvy and sumptuous, with striking fruit purity. Monbousquet is super-impressive in this tasting. 92-94 Antonio Galloni, Vinous. 

Ripe and expressive nose, full and fruity, open and aromatically quite forward with clearly concentrated fruit. Quite lean on the palate though, some tension and potency in the flavours - dark blackcurrant and exotic spices with fresh mint that gives a cooling touch. Still a bit tight and a touch dry with fruit losing a bit of vibrancy quite quickly. Appealing precision, and has charm, but lacks some easy generosity. Ageing 28 years, 50% new oak, 50% one year barrels. Total acidity 3.25, 3.83pH. HVE3 certified. 30th vintage for Monbousquet. Harvest started on the 15th September. 90/100 Georgina Hindle, Decanter.

The 2022 Monbouquet was picked 15 to 27 September at 30hL/ha (due to smaller berries) with 14.28% alcohol. Ripe and opulent on the nose, quite pure in style, this goes out to seduce, though it does not present the same complexity as some of its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet and candied opening, liquorice-infused black fruit that grips the mouth with blueberry on the finish. Quite firm with a lot of backbone. It needs to soften during élevage. 88-90 Neal Martin, Vinous.

Drinking Window: 2027 - 2039