2006 Monbousquet

Sweet, rather burgundian, even exaggeratedly so. Not enough freshness. Just a bit too tarty. (JR)

Full, bright ruby. Very ripe, expressive aromas of roasted currant, chocolate and coffee liqueur and loam. Lush and silky on entry, then opulent and full in the middle, with noteworthy generosity of texture along with a penetrating quality to the flavors of currant, espresso and chocolate. Finishes with substantial but essentially sweet, fine-grained tannins that spread out to coat the entire palate. This has turned out very well.

A blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2006 possesses a dense ruby/purple color as well as a sweet perfume of espresso roast, damp earth, new oak, black cherries, and black currants. Medium to full-bodied with exceptional purity, surprising intensity, good texture, and sweet tannin in the finish, this unfiltered cuvee should drink well for 12-15 years. The residence and home estate of Chantal and Gerard Perse has once again turned in a serious effort. From sandy soils that have been largely dismissed as a good source for high quality wine production, Monbousquet, through extraordinary viticultural work, and doing everything right in the cellar, continues to turn out one of Bordeaux's finer wines.