Like many of the Chantal and Gerard Perse wines, the 2008 Monbousquet is blacker than a moonless night. Like the other wines in the Perse portfolio, it is very backward, and was obviously just coming off malolactic fermentation on the three occasions I tasted it. Loaded with concentration, and perhaps even bigger than the 2005 or even the 2000, this blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon topped off at 14.5% natural alcohol. Sweet, pure notes of black cherries, roasted herbs, forest floor, and toasty oak are restrained, but intense. The wine’s purity, another hallmark of this vintage, gorgeous texture, and long finish with sweet tannins as well as more acids than normal, suggest it should drink beautifully young and evolve for up to a decade. This is an incredible offering from an unheralded terroir. By the way, the 1999 and 2000 are still adolescents in terms of their evolution.

En primeur barrel sample. A blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, the rest Cabernet Sauvignon and cropped at 33hl/ha, this Monbousquet has a high-toned, plumy, iodine tinged bouquet, a little pinched at the moment but with some attractive violet scents developing in the glass. The palate is full-bodied with a superb structure, weight cassis and plum-flavoured fruits, very persistent – grippy on the finish and very, very pure. It could do with just a touch more definition on the finish. Tasted April 2009.

This sexy, beautiful wine has the same potency (14% alcohol) as the 2010, which is surprising given the difference in alcohol strengths in these two vintages. Soft, round and opulent, this sexy 2008 reveals lots of white chocolate, espresso roast, Christmas fruitcake, black currant and cherry characteristics in its flamboyant bouquet. Round, medium to full-bodied and lush, it can be enjoyed now and over the next decade. This is a sleeper of the vintage.

Bright, deep ruby-red. Musky aromas and flavors of cassis, blackberry, espresso and charcoal. Juicy and vibrant in the mouth, offering an attractive combination of sweetness of fruit and lively acidity. Plenty of oak throughout but maintains good definition. Finishes broad and persistent, with solid structure. This can be drunk or held.

Tasted blind. Blackish ruby. Rather opulent, winning nose with attractive tertiary notes. Very ‘mature Merlot’ on the nose but just slightly burnt and charred on the end. Lovely nose; not so lovely palate. (JR)