2020 Château Monbousquet
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Tasting notes
Tasted blind. Black core. Very dark and very ripe, a touch raisiny. Tough and bitter on the palate, with thick tannins. A bit overworked? Tannins need time but not sure how the fruit will hold up. Old-school St-Émilion? (JH)
Critic scores
Average Score
James Lawther MW, jancisrobinson.com
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The 2020 Monbousquet has a perfumed, floral nose with violet-infused black fruit. This is an anachronistic, "glossy" bouquet that needs time to lose its puppy fat. The palate is medium-bodied with dark chocolate and mocha on the entry. The oak is quite pronounced and slightly dries out the finish. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
The 2020 Château Monbousquet is lights-out good, offering a full-bodied, concentrated, opulent profile as well as notes of ripe black cherries, cassis, chocolate, and leafy herbs. With terrific purity, velvety tannins, and incredible richness as well as a remarkable sense of freshness, it's going to evolve for 15+ years in cold cellars.