Monbousquet 2011

A classic Monbousquet, the dense ruby/purple-tinged 2011 possesses abundant blueberry and raspberry fruit intermixed with hints of espresso roast and minerals. Composed of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, it admirably displays the heights a brilliant winemaking team with an unwavering commitment to excellence can achieve from one of the less prestigious terroirs of St.-Emilion. This beauty should provide plenty of pleasure over the next 8-10 years.

A closed and silky wine with blueberry and spices with hints of toasted oak. Full-bodied with firm tannins and a long finish. Slightly hollow mid-palate.

This is often my favourite wine from the Gérard Perse stable and so it proved again in 2011. There's lots of sweet oak on show, but the fruit and tannins are there to support it, with attractive herbal spice, a hint of lavender and thyme and a supple, savoury finish. The wine is almost restrained by Perse's standards. 10+ years.

Deep colour. Rich, dark and generous with a ripe tannic frame. Consistent in style and weight. Drink 2017-2026.

Tiny yields of 31 hectoliters per hectare and a harvest that occurred between September 16-22 resulted in a full-throttle 2011 Monbousquet that hit 13.9% natural alcohol. The final blend was 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. In both blind and non-blind tastings, this wine acquitted itself extremely well, placing well above many wines that cost two to three times the price. The 2011 reveals exotic notes of Asian spices, black fruits, toast, coffee bean and forest floor. Fleshy and medium to full-bodied, it is ideal for drinking over the next 10-12 years.