2001 Château Monbousquet

Great depth of colour. Good racy acidity and masses of luscious fruit – not integrated yet but quite promising. Still pretty tannic and not a heavyweight. In the end it may look slightly skinny in the air but good wine for the ground. (JR)

Juicy and fruity and a good drink with real life. Long – just a bit dry on the finish. (JR)

The home estate of Chantal and Gerard Perse, the 2001 Monbousquet (a 7,500-case blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon bottled unfined and unfiltered) is a big, flamboyant, sexy offering with a dense ruby/purple color as well as a big, sweet nose of licorice, dried herbs, smoke, black currants, and blackberries. Beautifully textured, medium to full-bodied, opulent, and forward, this is a juicy, succulent, seductive claret to drink over the next 10-12 years.