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

Udo_Hoerhold · September 9, 2009, 11:35pm

2003 Château Monbousquet - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru (9/9/2009)
Decanted for 30 minutes. Complex, mellow nose has plum, cassis, cedar, espresso, and a hint of licorice. I was expecting this to still be fairly challenging, but it’s already quite mellow and well integrated. Very nice fruit, not overly jammy, with a dark cassis character. Nice coffee and cedar core, some lifting acidity. The tannins already seem quite resolved. Moderate length, delicious finish. May develop some more complexity, but drinking beautifully now. (92 pts.)

Michael_Bowden · September 10, 2009, 12:53am

I had this wine on Sunday evening with “Big Tex”…found there to be a slight green tinge in the wine…not something that I would have expected out of an 03 Bordeaux.

note - I didn’t seem to find it when drinking out of the sippy cup…but did find it in the glass.

Cris_Whetstone · September 10, 2009, 1:06am

I wish it had some more green in it. Big soft and oaky is what it seemed like to me when I opened one. Some cedary green goodness but overwhelmed by plushness.

M_Dildine · September 10, 2009, 1:11am

When it comes to Bords, I love a little “green” too. Defines it for me.

I can get the big “red and black” from California.

Rob_MacKay · September 10, 2009, 1:30am

I like waiting long enough (however many years it takes) until the green becomes integrated and yummy.

Bill_Tex_Landreth · September 10, 2009, 2:10pm

This is my house wine as I picked up case qty for a steal earlier in the year. Indeed it does have a mild green streak in it, but for me it is in balance with all the oak and fruit. Much better on day two after sitting in a captain’s decanter covered with saran wrap.

jcoley3 · September 10, 2009, 10:37pm

Different strokes. This offered what I think Napa Merlot for the same price can do better.