Château Monbousquet 2025

Château Monbousquet is a Grand Cru Classé in the AOC of Saint-Émilion, on the right bank of Bordeaux. Bought in 1993 by Gérard Perse, who came to wine from retail rather than a family estate, it is built on Merlot with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon in support. Monbousquet sits on the lower, sandier and gravel soils of the appellation rather than the limestone plateau, ground that warms early and ripens Merlot to a rich, plush style. Merlot drives the wine's generous black fruit and full body, while the two Cabernets lend aromatic lift and tannic backbone. The wine is aged twenty-four months in barrel, a long élevage that softens the tannins through steady oxygen exchange across the staves and folds in vanilla, cedar, spice and a fine grained texture. The colour is dense, dark ruby. The nose is rich and complex, with blackberry, ripe plum and dark cherry over dark chocolate, liquorice, tobacco and oak. The palate is full bodied and rich, with ripe, polished tannins, balanced acidity and a long, layered finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanting ahead. It suits roast and braised red meats, lamb, duck and mature hard cheeses.