A successful Monbousquet, although still with the tell-tale wide tannins and expansive mid-palate that threaten to overtake the whole structure. It takes a heartbeat to kick in, which is enjoyable, and the tannins certainly have walls and flexibility to them, with juice running through the fruit. It retains the signature style, with a nod to softening things up. 39hl/ha yield in 2018. 91 points

60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Black core, narrow purple rim. Ripe and yet savoury dark fruit. Highly extracted and very dense. Needs a lot of time but I am not sure the fruit will outlive the oak and tannins. 15.5 points

The 2018 Monbousquet is composed of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, harvested September 27 to October 9 with yields of 39 hectoliters per hectare. The wine has a pH of 3.78 and 14.38% alcohol. Deep purple-black in color, it sashays out of the glass with beautiful, flamboyant red roses, chocolate box and molten licorice scents over a core of crème de cassis, plum preserves and Morello cherries plus fragrant wafts of underbrush, lavender and cloves. Full-bodied, rich and wonderfully elegant, the palate delivers layers of black fruits and spices, wrapped in a cashmere shawl of tannins, finishing very long and incredibly perfumed. 93-95 points

The 2018 Monbousquet is a dense, richly textured Saint-Émilion. Black cherry plum, chocolate, leather, smoke and spice are boldly sketched. Ample and resonant in the glass, Monbousquet has quite a bit to offer in 2018. At this early stage, though, it is especially brooding. 89-92 points

Here the harvest was from September 27th until October 9th. The yield was 39 hl/ha, the alcohol 14.38%, the pH 3.78. This has a fragrant nose, with rose petal and violet scents, some nicely defined summer fruits, a fresh, pretty and admirably refined poise for Monbousquet. The palate starts off in a gentle fashion, medium-bodied, fresh, developing a great substance and structure in the midpalate, with a polished grip to it. Lots of ripe tannins at the end, a touch drying, but there is some restraint here. The texture is a little linear, while underneath there is plenty of grip. A nice result for this estate, showing a less extravagantly muscular style than the Monbousquet of old. 91-93 points