Chateau Monbousquet, Grand Cru Classe, St. Emilion, Bordeaux, 2010

Tasting: St. Emilion Grand Cru & Premier Grand Cru Classe

Very oaky nose, plums and black cherries, but it’s stylish too. Plump, concentrated, and fleshy, with ample tannic backbone and grip. It’s austere and brooding now, with little charm or finesse, but there’s an impressive intensity and weight of fruit and no trace of overripeness. Good length, and built to last.

Tasting: St. Emilion Grand Cru & Premier Grand Cru Classe

Deep, dark modern allure. Rich, ripe, toasty nose. Lively fruit but masked by the heavy hand of oak. Drying finish.

Tasting: St. Emilion Grand Cru & Premier Grand Cru Classe

Richly-extracted fruit and even showing a hint of oxidation. Low in acidity and overall a bit too ripe to stay the course.