2022 Monbousquet

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.