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Monbousquet 2012

Tasting Notes

From the least hallowed terroir of the Perse family, the 2012 Monbousquet (a blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon) displays spicy vanillin and new oak, Christmas fruitcake aromas along with incense, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit. It is medium-bodied, with light tannin in a very approachable style. It is certainly not the most concentrated Monbousquet ever made under the Perse regime, but it is very well-balanced and capable of hitting its prime in about 3-4 years and lasting 12-15.
Drink: 2015 - 2033

90
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (218), April 2015

60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Rich inky crimson. Pure, dense fruit. Firm extraction, very dark and savoury on the palate, slight bitterness and oak char on the finish. Not for early drinking. Good density but not very approachable. (JH)

16+
Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2013

Despite its location on the flat, alluvial soils of St-Sulpice, this Gérard Perse-owned property
often produces much more drinkable wines than Château Pavie, at least to me. It's still a rich,
turbo-charged effort, with lots of chocolatey oak, but the tannins are supple and fine-grained
and there's a freshness to the fruit that gives it length and definition.
Drink: 2022-30

93
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2013

The 2012 reveals lots of Asian spice characteristics interwoven with Christmas fruitcake, black cherries, black currants, toasty oak and a touch of vanillin. About 40-50% new oak is used during the wine-s upbringing, but like most of the Gerard Perse offerings, it has an extended maceration cuvaison of 40-60 days. The results include lots of fruit, ripe tannin and a round, generous style. This 2012 should drink nicely for 10-12 years.

This is a strong effort from this consistent producer, whose estate is situated on the wrong side of the road separating the appellation of St.-Emilion. Flamboyant and exuberant, Monbousquet-s 2012 is a blend of 70% Merlot and the rest mostly Cabernet Franc with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon.

90/92
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (206), April 2013
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.