2017 Monbousquet

The 2017 Monbousquet has turned out beautifully. Rich, ample and generous on the palate, it possesses striking depth from start to finish. A rush of blackberry jam, lavender, spice, menthol and smoke builds into the voluptuous finish. Yields are down a whopping 50%, but the wine that was made is just gorgeous.

This vineyard was significantly hit by frost, but I was told there was no use of second-generation fruit. Composed of 60% Merlot, 30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Monbousquet gives up notes of crushed blackberries, black raspberries and kirsch with touches of black truffles, Marmite toast and tapenade. Medium-bodied, the palate has a firm structure of grainy tannins and just enough freshness to support the earthy, muscular fruit, finishing on a mineral note.

The 2017 Monbousquet has quite an intense bouquet with raspberry, wild strawberry and just a slight metallic note that recedes with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, quite cohesive with blackberry and raspberry laced with graphite towards the finish that just needs to manifest a little more charm and comeliness. It is just a bit hard at the moment but bottle age will address that issue.