Château Monbrison 2022

Seductively fruity-spicy aromatics; an especially harmonious yet very dense structure, tannins of incredible finesse, immense length; ranks among the exceptional vintages at Monbrison.

Ripe but fun, this has a nice immediate lift of creamy strawberries and freshly-picked cherries. It's not super acidic, meaning not really bright, but there's such a feeling of confidence about it - calm and collected with character. Round and balanced, nothing feels out of place, with a cooling mineral edge and long length dotted with liquorice, chocolate and mint. I like the smooth, velvety texture and general feeling that nothing has been overdone here. Drink in its youth to enjoy the upfront power, seduction and charm.

A refined and polished young Margaux with berry, chocolate, walnut and hazelnut aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, it has juicy fruit and a subtle and elegant finish. Savory and velvety. Best Monbrison in a long time. Drink after 2028.

Flowers, tobacco leaf and currants work together in the nose, and on the fresh, soft, silky, medium-bodied palate. The sweet fruit theme carries on through to the finish. Drink from 2025-2038. 89-90 Pts.

Deep dark ruby in colour with purple reflections and subtle brightening on the rim. On the nose, subtle herbal spices, ripe cherry, and a hint of plum underlaid with tangerine zest. The palate is medium-bodied, with pronounced, integrated tannins, mineral notes and some red cherry fruit, the hint of over ripeness imbuing a subtle sweetness on the saline finish. The wine has the potential for further ageing.

Smoky red and black fruits, spicy wood, tobacco, and incense notes emerge from the 2022 Château Monbrison, a classy, complete, medium- to full-bodied Margaux. I love its overall balance, and it has plenty of mid-palate depth as well as polished tannins. Based on 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, aged 18 months in barrel, give it 3–5 years and enjoy over the following 15+.

Introverted bouquet, delicate dark-berry contours, a full load of graphite, juniper and Brazil tobacco. On the palate, meaty and trained, with a creamy texture, powdery extract, supportive acidity and delicately stony-kerned notes underneath. In the focused finish, the Margaux streamlines, with dark minerality and sandy astringency, rounded off.

Amazing how many of these Medoc peninsula wines are at 14.5%, although here the 20 hl/ha yield might go some way to explaining it. Enjoyable, a little squeezed in its tight bilberry and blackcurrant fruits, with spice and dried herbs rather than juice providing the counterpart. Lovely floral wash on the final notes, but this is marked by the vintage.

Deeply colored wine with a pure fruity nose, a juicy palate, and a tender, pleasant presence. Its tannic frame is the best seen in recent years. Blend: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Alcohol: 14.5%. Yield: 20 hl/ha.

A fine wine, with dark chocolate density and ripe tannins, this is juicy and structured. Its black coffee and licorice aromas are intense, leading to succulent black currant fruits and ripe, firm tannins. Drink the wine from 2029.