2005 Chateau Monbousquet Saint Emilion Grand Cru 1x750ml

Vinous 93

Full ruby-red. Captivating aromas of black raspberry, smoked meat, mocha and licorice. Wonderfully sweet, dense and fat but with excellent vinosity and inner-mouth perfume to the flavors of berries, mocha and licorice. A compellingly tactile vintage for Monbousquet, with the substantial but sweet tannins buffered by the wine’s chewy mid-palate material. This was aged in 80% new oak, compared to 60% to 65% in 2006 and 2007. Really transcends its less-than-ideal terroir in Saint Sulpice de Faleyrens. [Stephen Tanzer, 05/01/2008]

Robert Parker 94

A beautiful effort from Monbousquet, this 2005 comes across to me as one of their strongest efforts, with notes of toasty oak, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit as well as some licorice, incense and flowers. Full-bodied and opulent, this is an amazing wine from a terroir on the so-called “wrong side” of St.-Emilion. Drink it over the next 15 or more years. It is an amazing performance. [22/06/2015]

Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030