Château Montrose - St.-Estèphe 1990 (750ml)
Price: $700.00
| Producer | Château Montrose |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| Subregion | St. Estephe |
| Varietal | Bordeaux Blend |
| Vintage | 1990 |
| Sku | 3059 |
| Size | 750ml |
Wine Advocate: 100 Points
The final blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon 32% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc was harvested between September 14 and October 3. The spring was cold yet summer was extremely hot and dry ? one of the hottest vintages since 1949. The fact that virtually no rain fell in September served as a catalyst to get all the grapes ripe and in cellars. Some bottles of this wine have a definite brett population that gives off the notes of sweaty horses but this one did not. The ones I have had from my cellar ? where I have had it frequently ? are quite pure and clean. I suspect that the brett population is in all of them but unless the wine hits some heat along the transportation route or in storage the wine will not show any brett. This one tasted at the chateau as well as those I?ve had from my cellar have been pristine and not showing the sweaty horse notes that can be in evidence in brett populations that have flourished in the bottle because of external temperatures. This wine has an incredibly complex nose of spring flowers blackberry and cassis liqueur scorched earth and barbecue spice. It is full-bodied majestic and opulent with low acidity and fabulous fruit. It is close to full maturity. The wine should continue to drink well for at least another 30 or more years but it is showing secondary nuances in the perfume. The wine is absolutely magnificent broad savory and mouth-filling. This is one of the all-time modern legends from Bordeaux as well as Chateau Montrose.
Vinous: 95 Points
Full ruby-red. Wild exotic aromas of crystallized redcurrant leather tobacco and minerals; distinctly exotic even overripe. Then lush sweet and opulent with an atypically velvety texture for Montrose. But extremely young and structured finishing with powerful tannins and great grip and length. Almost California-like in style; in Bordeaux they'd refer to the fruit expression of this wine as "original" which is not necessarily high praise. Drink 2008 through 2030.
vWine Spectator: 94 Points
Dark in color with decadent aromas of ripe fruit earth and amazing mint and spearmint undertones yet there's also an underlying meaty funkiness. Full-bodied with layers of very ripe fruit and velvety tannins. Massive and caressing. A big powerful wine. Like velvet.--Non-blind Château Montrose vertical. Drink now. 18000 cases made.
