Monbousquet - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2020

TASTED

92 / 100

byAndreas Larssonthe7/6/2021

Nice purity showing both ripeness and freshness, a wealth of dark berries, some stony and smoky notes, yet not really from oak. The palate is dense and vigorous with a fresh backbone, layered and fine tannins with dense young fruit flavours and good length.

La Revue du Vin de France

91-92 / 100

the6/7/2021

Né sur les sols sablo-graveleux et argilo-sableux du sud de Saint-Émilion, cet assemblage de 70 % de merlot, 15 % de cabernet-sauvignon et 15 % de cabernet franc propose un style ample, à la texture appuyée par l’élevage et plutôt solaire.

Le Figaro

92-93 / 100

the6/2/2021

Un nez opulent de prune, et des notes d'encens toutefois pleines de fraîcheur. Une bouche ample et juteuse, qui reste étonnamment fraîche malgré de puissants arômes d'épices, de cannelle, et une finale légèrement caramélisée.

Vinous

90-92 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe6/1/2021

The 2020 Monbousquet is a heady, exotic wine. Blackberry jam, bittersweet chocolate, spice, new leather and espresso are all kicked up. Explosive and deep, the Monbousquet packs a serious punch. The tannins are pretty imposing today, but élevage should take care of that.

Jeb DUNNUCK

92-94 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/28/2021

Seemingly a perpetual smoking wine as well as a great value, the 2020 Château Monbousquet is no exception and has a deep, inky hue to go with pure, rich, powerful notes of smoky black fruits, chocolate, scorched earth, and subtle floral nuances. It’s a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, even tannic, yet pleasure-bent beauty I’d be thrilled to drink any time over the coming 15+ years. The blend is 70% Merlot and 15% each of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, and the alcohol is 14.6% with a pH of 3.75.

Vinous

90-92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/27/2021

The 2020 Monbousquet was cropped at 30hl/ha and underwent a five-week cuvaison and maturation in 50% new oak. Deep in color, it has an intense nose of multilayered black plum, loganberry, wild hedgerow and crushed violet scents. The new oak imparts a vanilla-y veneer, but that should be assimilated by the time this is bottled. The palate is medium-bodied with gritty tannins, quite a structured Monbousquet, the 15% Cabernet Sauvignon contributing graphite notes toward the fresh, seaweed-tinged, slightly bitter finish, which has a powdery texture. This is an intriguing Monbousquet made in a more classical style compared to recent vintages.

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/21/2021

Elegant, fresh, supple and long, the ripeness and purity in the fruits stand out. Medium-bodied, floral, juicy, lush and fresh, there is real length, complexity and character here. The wine is a blend of 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and is aging in 50% new, French oak. The reduction in the oak helps with the freshness, texture and refinement here. 93-95

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/20/2021

The 2020 Monbousquet is a blend of 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, coming in with an alcohol of 14.69% and a pH of 3.75. It is aging in French oak barriques, 50% new. With a deep purple-black color, it prances out of the glass with showy scents of crushed black plums, mulberries and Morello cherries, plus touches of dried Provence herbs, charcoal and forest floor. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers expressive black and red berry layers, framed by plush tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on a fragrant earth note.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe5/11/2021

This is linear and creamy with lovely, fine tannins and dark-berry, violet, stone and licorice character. Medium-to full-bodied, racy and fresh. Charming. Freshness at the end.