Monbousquet St-Emilion 1999

94 points Robert Parker: "The dense ruby/purple-colored 1999 Monbousquet exhibits a port-like bouquet of super-ripe black cherry and black currant fruit intermixed with scents of coffee, tobacco, and vanilla. Tipping the scales at a whopping 14% alcohol (extremely high for Bordeaux), this wine, which spends 18 months in 100% new oak and is bottled unfined and unfiltered, is a blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. It was cropped at an amazingly low 30 hectoliters per hectare. It possesses an amazing texture, a mid-palate that you could get lost in, and a sensational 40-45 second finish. The exotic aromas, incredible texture, and abundant fruit are reminiscent of Pomerol's renowned micro-cuvee, Le Pin. The 1999 is even better from bottle than it was from cask. It is a remarkable effort for the vintage. (4/29/02)"

91 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Good medium ruby. Highly nuanced, expressive nose of raspberry, roasted meat, charred oak, minerals and coffee. Lush, chewy and sweet, with impressive thickness of texture for a '99. Very ripe and layered. Finishes ripely tannic and very long. Transcends the vintage. (May 2002)"

91 points Wine Spectator: "Nice nose. Dark ruby color. Pretty aromas of licorice, crushed berries, currants, with a hint of tar. Full-bodied. But the palate is heavy on rubber and tar character; some may love it.--1990 Bordeaux retrospective. Drink now. (8/31/00)"