1998 Château Monbousquet
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Tasting notes
The 1998 Monbousquet is a vintage that I have not tasted for many years. It has a light bouquet with red fruit, bay leaf and Earl Grey tea, nicely defined if missing some vigour. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine line of acidity, cohesive with a straightforward, slightly soft, savory finish. Drink this now. It is still giving some drinking pleasure but not for too much longer. Tasted at the château.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 1998 Monbousquet is medium to deep garnet-brick in color with wonderful dried mulberries, kirsch and prune preserves notions with hints of cigar box, Chinese five spice and potpourri plus a waft of liquid licorice. Medium-bodied, it's very spicy with a wonderful core of plum and cherry preserves and beautifully plush tannins, finishing very long and spicy. Delicious now and should age a further 10 to 15+ years!
Notably deep purplish crimson. Smells wild and savage – quite aggressive purple fruit flavours. Elderberries? Sweet and rich at the start and very hard work on the finish. Too much for me! The tannins are really rasping on the finish. Lots of alcohol. Very drying finish. (JR)