2014 Monbousquet

The 2014 Monbousquet has a lifted bouquet with floral black fruit, well defined and quite mineral-driven in style. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp and poised and almost as if there was a little Cabernet Franc here! [Post-edit - there is 30%]. Surprisingly classic in style replete with an almost old-fashioned but charming finish. Not to everyone’s taste, but this is well crafted. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Tasted blind. Blackish crimson. Dense and lots of black fruit flavour. Eerily forward but very jolly and only slightly simple – almost ready to drink now. Not that much length. (JR)

The 2014 Monbousquet offers a rather broody nose at first, opening gradually with black rather than red fruit, retaining that subtle cedar-like note that I remarked upon out of barrel. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, quite compact and perhaps just missing some of the "flow" and depth I have found on better vintages of Monbousquet. It may endure a sultry period before opening up, so I would not broach this for three or four years before opening.