2005 Monbrison

56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Bought by an American, Robert Davis, in 1921 and now run by third-generation Laurent Vonderheyden. Monbrison is only a small estate of 13ha, but its reputation is growing bigger every year due the obvious quality of its wines and the personal charm and dynamism of Laurent. Pure, restrained dark fruit. Plenty of grip and surprisingly fluid in the middle. Could do with a little more flesh in the middle but finishes fresh and long. Less complete than the Blason d’Issan at this stage. (JH)

Smoky sweet and pretty lush beginning, but again it all goes green on the finish. (JR)

Closed but with indications of peppery, cedary cassis. Slightly herbaceous on the palate, and pretty high acidity – giving freshness but also creating an overall dry and rather slight impression. (JH)