2022 Monbousquet
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Tasting notes
The 2022 Monbousquet offers black fruit, graphite and light tertiary scents on the nose, well defined, but it feels as if it might be closing down. There is some sur-maturité that becomes evident. The palate is smooth on the entry, a little sleeker than its peers, with black pepper and bay leaf tincturing the black fruit. Maybe it misses a little grip on the finish, but I appreciate the length. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Lawther MW, jancisrobinson.com
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2022 Château Monbousquet is blockbuster stuff. It might not be for the classic traditionalists out there, but it's a “wow” wine for sure. Darker currants, chocolate, tobacco, crushed stone and graphite define the aromatics, and it's full-bodied, with a deep, layered, opulent mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. It's a blockbuster yet seamless, layered, flawlessly balanced Monbousquet that, in my opinion, rivals any vintage of this cuvée ever produced. Drink bottles over the coming two decades.
The 2022 Monbousquet retains the opulence on the nose that was conspicuous out of barrel with precocious black cherry and blueberry scents. It's seductive, though not necessarily complex. The palate is medium-bodied with a candied, licorice-tinged note and wood tannins on the hard finish. My main gripe is that it feels Californian in style, just missing some typicité .
Intense blackberry and blueberry aromas. Perfumed. Full-bodied and layered with soft and silky tannins and pretty fruit with just a hint of coffee in the finish. Chocolate, meat and berries at the end as well. Really attractive now but will age beautifully. Fruit-forward style. Better after 2028.