Monbousquet 2001

St Emilion GCC (since '06 - before, GC). Before we lose the plot w too many New World reviews, let's get back to our old favs. Nose is a bit shy but just open enough not to be austere - restrained fruit and oak. Palate, on the other hand, is a powerhouse. Assertive attack w very intense dark fruits, bursting into firework of flavours - berries, floral, scorched earth, everything! V intense and pure elements inter-playing, builds up onto a towering mid-palate. Just when it was about to get too jammy, it pulls back beautifully w some discreet spice and lushness. Satisfying long finish. Been a while since I'm this won over by a wine, it must be Bordeaux (9.2/10). Beg to differ from critics of G Perse that his wines are too modern, too extracted - there're still Old World complexity and class to be found in this wine. Definitely not just a brash fruit bomb.