100 Da Robert Parker
In several tastings last year, the 1990 Montrose clearly revealed its incredible complexity and massive character. I was especially pleased when, at a large lecture I gave in London at the end of March, the 1990 Montrose, in very tough company (Cheval Blanc 1989 and 1990, Pichon-Lalande 1989 and 1990, Certan de May 1989 and 1990), proved the over-whelming choice of a crowd of nearly 400 British tasters. The wine is remarkably rich, with a distinctive nose of sweet, jammy fruit, liquefied minerals, new saddle leather, and grilled steak. In the mouth, the enormous concentration, extract, high glycerin, and sweet tannin slide across the palate with considerable ease. It is a huge, corpulent, awesomely-endowed wine that is still relatively approachable, as it has not yet begun to shut down and lose its baby fat. It thoroughly embarrassed the 1989, itself an exceptional wine. The 1990 needs 10 more years of cellaring; it should last for 25-30, possibly 40-50 years.
20 Da Rene Gabriel
14: Aufhellendes, leicht bräunliches Rot, satt in der Mitte. Verrücktes Bouquet, Malz, Honig, Rosinen, Feigensirup, dahinter Teernoten (Hermitage) fast buttrig und einen gewissen Caramelschimmer zeigend. Im Gaumen perfekt, er hat die Fülle der grossen 90er, aber wie kein anderer eine dramatische Konzentration, reife Tannine, rauchig und malzig im tabakigen Finale. Eine sagenhafte Flasche. Kein feiner Cru, aber ein «Überimposanter». (20/20). 15: Extrem dunkle Farbe, noch wenig gereift: schwarz mit einem Hauch von violetten Nuancen. Das Bouquet schwankt zwischen gewaltig und dramatisch. Alles nur schwarze Frucht, würzige Kräuternoten, die Expression des Cabernets ist dokumentarisch, die Frucht ist reif und es ist unglaublich viel Lakritze im Nasenbild zu finden. Es gibt fast keinen anderen Médoc der so viel nasaler Power zeigt. Im Gaumen geht dieser markante, generelle Reichtum nahtlos weiter. Im satten, extrem konzentrierten Extrakt sind wieder viele schwarze Beeren und auch noch recht viel Cassisresten zu finden. Der Druck ist unbändig im Finale. Kein anderer 1990er Bordeaux hat diese Urkraft. (20/20). 16: Bei Urs Ratschiller fast am Schluss. Nichts mehr geschrieben, aber dafür sehr intensiv genossen.
94 Da Wine Spectator
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 Chteau Montrose vertical. Drink now. 18,000 cases made. JS
In several tastings last year, the 1990 Montrose clearly revealed its incredible complexity and massive character. I was especially pleased when, at a large lecture I gave in London at the end of March, the 1990 Montrose, in very tough company (Cheval Blanc 1989 and 1990, Pichon-Lalande 1989 and 1990, Certan de May 1989 and 1990), proved the over-whelming choice of a crowd of nearly 400 British tasters. The wine is remarkably rich, with a distinctive nose of sweet, jammy fruit, liquefied minerals, new saddle leather, and grilled steak. In the mouth, the enormous concentration, extract, high glycerin, and sweet tannin slide across the palate with considerable ease. It is a huge, corpulent, awesomely-endowed wine that is still relatively approachable, as it has not yet begun to shut down and lose its baby fat. It thoroughly embarrassed the 1989, itself an exceptional wine. The 1990 needs 10 more years of cellaring; it should last for 25-30, possibly 40-50 years.
