CHATEAU MONBOUSQUET, SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU CLASSE

BORDEAUX, FRANCE 2014

Decades prior to Chateau Pavie’s elevation to Premier Grand Cru Classe “A”, this estate was long considered one of the best in Saint-Emilion. While paying respect to terroir and tradition, Gerard Pearse had a vision to create a powerhouse wine that would bring in some modern flare – challenging any preconceived notions about what a Saint-Emilion was at the time. So when news broke about the Pearse family’s purchase of Monbousquet, lovers of the appellation rejoiced with another inspiring wine to choose from. With ownership of some of the finest estates in the appellation including Pavie and Pavie-Decesse, the Pearse family has become the modern face of Bordeaux. After hiring world renowned consulting enologist Michel Rolland, who transformed this notorious under-achiever into Saint-Emilion’s emerging superstar, the property now produces what has become one of Saint-Emilion’s most concentrated and fascinating wines.

Though this estate has been producing wines that transcend its terroir in Saint-Sulpice de Faleyrens for the past three decades, this was not always the case. Tracing its roots back to 1540, this prestigious chateau was noted as one of the most important estates in Saint-Emilion in 1865. But by the end of the 19th century the estate had fallen on hard times. After the purchase of Monbousquet by Gerard Pearse in 1993, the resurgence of this exceptional chateau began. Armed with a unique terroir, Monbousquet’s vineyards make the perfect home for the opulent, rich Merlot and late-ripening Cabernets. Similar to the soils of Cheval Blanc and Figeac, the largely gravelly soils of the estate account for the particularly larger proportion of Cabernet planted than many right bank properties. Beginning with work in the vineyard, Rolland proceeded to cut yields drastically to two tons per acre. With severely restricted yields, the grapes produced richer, more intense and more concentrated wines than ever before.

As this estate continues to turn out outstanding wines, it’s a miracle that these wines can still be found for such a bargain. And after tasting the 2014 vintage, there is no doubt that this estate continues to reign as the king of value-to-price. As a vintage that was sorely overlooked due to the critical acclaim of the subsequent 2015 and 2016 vintages, Monbousquet’s 2014 is certainly under-priced and over-delivers in every way. “Wonderfully showy, radiant and seductive, with striking purity in its fruit and fabulous overall balance. Raspberry jam, white flowers, cinnamon and pomegranate are bold and racy in the glass. The 2014 is opulent and quite forward, but never heavy in any way. Above all else, it is the wine's exquisite balance that speaks today.” (Galloni). Rewarding for connoisseurs looking for a multi-dimensional Saint-Emilion that can age for 2+ decades, this lavish blockbuster is pure ecstasy. With rich, velvety tannins, Monbousquet is deliciously accessible in its youth yet offers an underlying power and ferocity that rewards just as handsomely with further time in bottle. This is an offer you don’t want to miss!