Monbousquet 2018 (750ML)

93-95 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2018 Monbousquet is composed of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, harvested September 27 to October 9 with yields of 39 hectoliters per hectare. The wine has a pH of 3.78 and 14.38% alcohol. Deep purple-black in color, it sashays out of the glass with beautiful, flamboyant red roses, chocolate box and molten licorice scents over a core of crème de cassis, plum preserves and Morello cherries plus fragrant wafts of underbrush, lavender and cloves. Full-bodied, rich and wonderfully elegant, the palate delivers layers of black fruits and spices, wrapped in a cashmere shawl of tannins, finishing very long and incredibly perfumed." 4/19

95 Points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com: "Really attractive aromas of crushed berries and black cherries with some violets and stones. It’s full-bodied with layers of ripe fruit and ripe tannins that give it density and intensity. Classy, polished tannins. Try after 2026." 02/21

95 Points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator: "Espresso crema and melted black licorice aromas give way to a lush range of cassis, plum reduction and blackberry confiture flavors that roll through with authority. Long finish is carried by a buried graphite note and hint of smoldering earth. An amped in style but if you like muscle and panache, you'll dig this. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2022 through 2038." 03/21

91 Points, Jane Anson, Decanter: "A successful Monbousquet, although still with the tell-tale wide tannins and expansive mid-palate that threaten to overtake the whole structure. It takes a heartbeat to kick in, which is enjoyable, and the tannins certainly have walls and flexibility to them, with juice running through the fruit. It retains the signature style, with a nod to softening things up. 39hl/ha yield in 2018." 4/19

95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com: "Another brilliant vintage for this estate, which has been going from strength to strength over the past decade, the 2018 Château Monbousquet reveals a dense purple, opaque color as well as a rich yet lively bouquet of cassis, chocolate covered currants, new leather, and graphite. With sumptuous levels of fruit, full -bodied richness, and ample mid-palate depth, it's the purity of fruit as well as the quality of the tannins that have brought this cuvée up another notch. Readers are going to love this cuvée, and it should keep for 15-20 years." 03/21