TN: 2003 Château Monbousquet (France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru)

Mark_F_r_a_n_k_s · June 8, 2009, 1:15pm

2003 Château Monbousquet - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru (6/8/2009)
Tobacco, barnyard, tight black fruit, anise, and coriander. This is a dark, not quite ready for primetime wine. It evolved slowly in the glass, but was a treat every sip. I’d lay off opening another one with out a significant decant (we only decanted this one for 15 minutes or so). Really nice wine though. (92 pts.)

Bill_Tex_Landreth · June 8, 2009, 2:14pm

I got a case of this for cheap a few months back and have had three bottles so far. It definitely isn’t for the oak-shy, but for what it is, it’s a great bottle.

Mark_F_r_a_n_k_s · June 8, 2009, 2:34pm

I had a small cookout at my house yesterday and this was one of the wines opened. I got this for $35 off Winebid some time ago and it was a great buy.

We also had 06 Switchback Ridge Merlot, 06 Switchback Ridge Cabernet, 05 Andrew Will “Annie Camarda” Syrah, 97 Etude Cabernet, 04 Ch Pape Clement and 03 Dm Chevalier. I grilled some sirloin and hanger steaks.

Bill_Tex_Landreth · June 8, 2009, 2:37pm

That is right around what I paid for a case in wood.

Very interested in hearing about the two Switchback Rigde wines…so far all I have had from ‘06 is the Petite Sirah which is a freakin’ monster.

Mark_F_r_a_n_k_s · June 8, 2009, 2:44pm

Both Switchbacks were awesome! The Cab is bigger, more full and layered than the Merlot. Both had dark fruit, leather, chocolate and coffee bean notes to them. The Cab was just stunning wine. I really can’t wait for the '07s. The Pape Clement was a kick ass wine too. The 97 Etude was showing it’s age, still nice, but fading. The Chevalier was nice, but 7 bottles for 3 guys, it was tough to remember much at that point.

Bill_Tex_Landreth · June 8, 2009, 2:48pm

Nice ratio of juice to winos.

I have had all the Papes from '00 to '05, save for the '04. I can only imagine that it was kick ass based on the other vintages.

Mark_F_r_a_n_k_s · June 8, 2009, 2:56pm

If you know of anywhere with good pricing on the Pape Clement, let me know.

Bill_Tex_Landreth · June 8, 2009, 2:59pm

I might have a couple of leads on some…

ToddFrench · June 8, 2009, 3:57pm

Got that right.

To me, this is the quintessential ‘spoofalated’ wine.

Mark_F_r_a_n_k_s · June 8, 2009, 3:58pm

I think the funeral being held for the brain cells I killed last night just ended, as I can no longer hear the sounds of bagpipes in my head.

Bill_Tex_Landreth · June 8, 2009, 4:34pm

Haven’t had any recent Quilceda Creek have you?

Mark_F_r_a_n_k_s · June 8, 2009, 4:43pm

ToddFrench · June 8, 2009, 4:44pm

Not for about a year. The Monbo is fresher in my mind, as the ‘latest’ one.

jcoley3 · June 8, 2009, 8:37pm

I found it borderline undrinkable over two days until I stuck it in the fridge to bring the temperature way down. It didn’t do anything that I personally want from Bordeaux, and the virtues it did have were easily found in more abundance in good Napa Mountaintop Merlot.

I’m glad I only had the one bottle.

My 2 cents.