Chateau Monbousquet Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2014
(Bordeaux, France) - [JS 93] [WS 93] [VM 91] [WA 90] [WE 90]

About the Winery:
Monbousquet's terroir is truly exceptional, with mostly warm, deep gravel to the south and sandy-clay soils to the north. As at Cheval Blanc and Figeac its soils are largely gravel, and thus warm, so relatively late-ripening Cabernets can ripen perfectly. This natural feature accounts for the particularly large proportion of these grapes in the vineyard's composition.

The property was drained in 1998, at a depth of 2.4 meters below the surface.

The entire vineyard is situated on quatenary alluvial formations which are difficult to date precisely. Nonetheless, the gravel deposits are estimated to be between 10,000 and 700,000 years old.

Clay and a vein of iron-pan round out the terroir.

Characteristics of the grape varieties :

• 60% of Merlot : this majority grape in Saint-Emilion brings fruit, richness, and roundness ;
• 30% of cabernet franc : a relatively late-ripening variety, but one which matures perfectly in Monbousquet's largely gravel soils, contributes great finesse ;
• 10% of cabernet sauvignon : this grape brings structure and tannic character.

Harvest and Vinification :

• The harvest is entirely hand-picked.
• We have a cellar-master/oenologist, Jean Philippe Lavautour (who previously worked over six years with Michel Rolland), and a consulting Oenologist, Michel Rolland.

Ratings & Reviews

93 Points - James Suckling:
"Very aromatic and fresh with lovely brightness and perfume. Medium to full body, fine and silky tannins and a bright finish. Ultra-fine and balanced Monbousquet. Better after 2020 but already very pretty." (2/13/2017)

93 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Not shy, with hefty fig paste and blackberry pate de fruit notes backed by a rumble of bramble, ganache and licorice snap. Underneath roils a base layer of tobacco and graphite that should slowly surface with time. May have pushed the extraction envelope ever so slightly, but this keeps it together in the end. Best from 2022 through 2032. 7,500 cases made." - JM (3/3/2017)

91 Points - Vinous Media:
"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." - Neal Martin (3/2018)

90 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"A super-ripe structured wine that has serious tannins and a smoky dark character. Right now, the tannins dominate the otherwise fruity wine, but with some time it will soften and balance out. Drink this powerful wine from 2024." - Roger Voss (4/1/2017)