Château Monbousquet 2003 - magnum

From a mixture of sand, gravel, and clay soils, this unheralded terroir produces wines well-above its pedigree thanks to the extraordinary efforts of proprietors Chantal and Gerard Perse. The wines are given a 4- to 5-week maceration in both stainless steel and oak, and are aged sur-lie in new oak. The dark ruby/purple-colored 2003 offers up notes of smoky meats, melted licorice, jammy black cherries, spice box, earth, and cedar. This plump, fleshy, sexy, unfined, unfiltered wine represents a classic blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Yields were 32 hectoliters per hectare, and the alcohol is 13.5%.

Robert Parker 93P
This was an amazing performance for Monbousquet. The 2003 exhibits plenty of fat and succulence along with a full-bodied, sexy mouthfeel, and lots of black cherry and black currant fruit intermixed with licorice, baking spices and roasted herbs. Fully mature yet in no danger of falling apart or in decline, the color remains a healthy plum/garnet to the rim. This full throttle 2003 was one of the great buys of the vintage when it was first released, and continues to prove that great winemaking and viticultural management from less heralded terroirs can result in wines well-above their pedigree. Drink this beauty over the next 2-3 years.