Château Monbrison 2021

Spicy notes of first-class oak; already shows finesse and distinctive breed at this stage, with peppery, austere tannins, long finish, and can only improve with maturation.

Lively and bright, a nice initial burst of energy and quite pristine strawberry-juice acidity to this. It has balance but doesn’t quite carry the same sense of fun all the way through, just tapering on the finish with an edge of salty, wet stone. Nothing harsh here, carefully worked, not dry or bitter, with high acidity. Easy to drink, with a cooling, fresh undercurrent of blueberry and cola.

The 2021 Monbrison has a floral nose, dried rose petals filtering through the fresh black cherry and wild strawberry fruit with perhaps just a touch of Brettanomyces here. The palate is medium-bodied with light tannins, clean and fresh, yet there is a lack of fruit concentration on the mid-palate. The finish feels light and ephemeral. Drink this over the next six to eight years. Tasted twice with consistent notes.

Intense ruby red with purple hues. Restrained, grassy notes and wild red berries with citrus zest in the background. Lean, racy, somewhat loosely knit palate with red cherries on the finish; it remains a little short.

I loved the nose on the 2021 Château Monbrison. Ripe and complex, with beautiful red and black fruits, spicy oak, tobacco and dried flowers, this complex, medium-bodied, elegant beauty has fine tannins, a supple, layered mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. I'd be thrilled to drink a bottle any time over the coming 10-15 years. The 2021 is based on 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc aged 18 months in 30% new French oak.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: (70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 38 hl/ha, 13% vol. alcohol, production 27,200 bottles) Silky, fresh, finely fruity bouquet, raspberries, cherries, cedar, a hint of licorice. Medium-bodied, refined palate with fresh, sweet fruit, fine tannins, a gently creamy texture, good aromatics, and a light, delicate finish.

(70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 38 hl/ha, 13% vol. alcohol, production 27,200 bottles) Silky, fresh, finely fruity bouquet, raspberries, cherries, cedar, a hint of licorice. Medium-bodied, fine palate with fresh, sweet fruit, delicate tannins, a slightly creamy texture, good aromatics, a light, refined finish. 17/20 2028 - 2042

The 2021 Monbrison has a medium to deep garnet-purple color. It needs plenty of swirling to reveal notes of raspberry leaves and redcurrants, with touches of Provence herbs, leather, and rhubarb in the background. The medium-bodied palate delivers herb-tinged flavors, with chewy tannins and a rustic finish.

The nose is charming, with roundness and warmth. A tangy sensation from the first sip, with perfectly integrated tannins. Here are fruits, flowers, and… a heart that beats for you.

The 70% Cabernet Sauvignon infuses the bouquet with both fruity notes and freshness. Lively and slender on the attack, the wine is crunchy, sapid, and already quite approachable. A pleasant, harmonious wine, well supported by its tannic structure.

Acidic wine.

Nose of incense and cigar box, rose petal, on the verge of precision yet unfurling an engaging array. The palate is rather crunchy, with biting red fruit, offering good drinkability despite still slightly grippy tannins.

Soft ruby in colour, grilled cedar on the nose, and those tar and clove notes that were in evidence during En Primeur are still very much to the fore. It has lift and pep, but I would suggest early to medium drinking because the density of the fruit is not clear enough to merit long ageing. 38hl/ha yield on deep gravel soils. 30% new oak.

Offering up aromas of berries, plums and fresh leather, the 2021 Monbrison is medium-bodied, with a discreet, slightly angular palate and a gently metallic finish.