Margaux - Margaux 1990

Wine Advocate

100 / 100

byNeal Martinthe10/28/2016

The 1990 Chateau Margaux has turned into a sensational wine that eclipses both the 1988 and 1989...and then some. It has a gorgeous, ethereal bouquet with sumptuous red berry fruit, leather, camphor and licorice—it is the kind of nose in which you just immerse yourself. Is there a hint of brettanomyces here? If there is, I don't really care. The palate is soft and sensual with incredible depth. Fleshy and corpulent for Chateau Margaux, and yet surfeit with breeding and finesse, there are layers or red fruit, kirsch, sage and fig, later tobacco and cloves. I feel that this 1990 Château Margaux is at its peak and yet the harmony, the sheer swagger of this wine just wins you over. Magnificent. Tasted May 2016.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

98 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe10/27/2009

Full ruby-red. Wonderfully perfumed nose combines redcurrant, plum, mocha, minerals and rose petal. Plush, fat and rich, with great sweetness and class. This has utterly compelling mouthfilling richness. Finishes smooth and endless, with great breadth. This wine showed fabulous potential from barrel, but this is the first truly outstanding bottle I've had. Drink 2005 through 2035.

Wine Advocate

98 / 100

byNeal Martinthe6/2/2009

It has been some time since I last tasted this Château Margaux. But what a stellar performance! Youthful in colour, the glycerine-rich nose is brilliantly defined and showing none of the alcohol and volatility that some ’90 clarets are beginning to show. Very intense bouquet: blackberry, cassis, warm gravels, violets and a hint of roasting chestnut. The palate is full-bodied, broad-shouldered with intense black fruits, sinewy, layers of cassis and black plum, a hint of damson leading to a vice-like grip on the fig and raisin-tinged finish. Voluptuous, but this is no harlot, this is far more intellectual and refined. Drink now-2030+ Tasted October 2009.

WeinWisser

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe2/6/2008

Mittleres Granat, deutlich aufhellender, oranger RAnd. Umwerfend süsses Bouquet, Rosinen von überreifem Traubengut zeigend, helles Vanille, Milchkaffee, Pflaumen, üppig, mittlerer Druck. Im Gaumen sehr reif, voller Charme, wieder mit unbändiger Süsse, hat in letzter Zeit etwas an Druck verloren, somit auf dem Höhepunkt .Schönheit und Anmut! Nase : 19/20, Gesamteindruck.

Wine Spectator

98 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/28/2005

Full-bodied, yet racy and refined, with blackberry and licorice character. Long. It keeps getting better and better. Hard not to drink now. In fact, I would, but it will age well for decades. '89/'90 Bordeaux non-blind horizontal. Drink now

Wine Advocate

100 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe1/31/1998

The 1990 Margaux continues to be the quintessential example of this chateau. In addition to being profoundly concentrated, its ethereal bouquet of sweet black fruits, cedar, spices, flowers, smoke, and vanilla is remarkably well-formed and intense. In the mouth, there is not a hard edge to this classic wine, which is super-concentrated, soft, silky-textured, and opulent. It displays an opaque ruby/purple color, a compelling bouquet, and exquisite layers of flavors that cascade over the palate without any notion of toughness or coarseness. The acidity is low, although sufficient enough to provide vibrancy and focus. This wine's significant tannin level is remarkably well-concealed by the wealth of fruit. Although still an infant in terms of development, this fabulous Margaux is already drinkable. There have been so many great vintages of Margaux under the Mentzelopoulos regime that it is almost inconceivable that the 1990 could outrank the 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, and 1995, but, in my opinion, it possesses an extra-special dimension. While it is approachable, it will last for 25-30 years. Last tasted 11/96

Wine Advocate

100 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/1/1997

For me, the 1990 Margaux continues to be the quintessential example of this chateau. In addition to being profoundly concentrated, its ethereal bouquet of sweet black fruits, cedar, spices, flowers, smoke, and vanilla is remarkably well-formed and intense. In the mouth, there is not a hard edge to this classic wine, which is super-concentrated, soft, silky-textured, and opulent. It displays an opaque ruby/purple color, a compelling bouquet, and exquisite layers of flavors that cascade over the palate without any notion of toughness or coarseness. The acidity is low, although sufficient enough to provide vibrancy and focus. This wine's significant tannin level is remarkably well-concealed by the wealth of fruit. Although still an infant in terms of development, this fabulous Margaux is already drinkable. There have been so many great vintages of Margaux under the Mentzelopoulos regime that it is almost inconceivable that the 1990 could outrank the 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, and 1995, but, in my opinion, it possesses an extra-special dimension. While it is approachable, it will last for 25-30 years.

Wine Advocate

100 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe10/1/1994

Tasted 7 Times Since Bottling With Consistent Notes More than any other recent vintage, the 1990 reminds me of what Chateau Margaux's classic 1953 might have tasted like at age three. Not a heavyweight in the style of their 1982, the 1990 exhibits an ethereal bouquet of flowers, cassis, smoke, new oak, and oriental spices. The tannins are significant but tender, and the wine is expansive, with remarkable finesse, richness, and a smooth-as-silk finish. The wine's exceptional richness and harmony are hallmarks. This vintage gets my nod as the most classic example of Margaux made under the Menzelopoulos administration. 1990 is a majestic vintage for Chateau Margaux, as well as one of the greatest wines of this superb vintage. Anticipated maturity: 1997-2020.

Wine Advocate

100 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe8/1/1993

More than any other recent vintage, the 1990 reminds me of what Chateau Margaux's classic 1953 might have tasted like at age three. Not a heavyweight in the style of their 1982, the 1990 exhibits an ethereal bouquet of flowers, cassis, smoke, new oak, and oriental spices. The tannins are significant but tender, and the wine is expansive, with remarkable finesse, richness, and a smooth-as-silk finish. The wine's exceptional richness and harmony are hallmarks. This vintage gets my nod as the most classic example of Margaux made under the Mentzelopoulos administration. 1990 is a majestic vintage for Chateau Margaux, as well as one of the greatest wines of this superb vintage. Anticipated maturity: 1997-2020. Last tasted, 8/93.

Wine Advocate

94-97 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/1/1992

More than any other recent vintage, the 1990 reminds me of Chateau Margaux's classic 1953. Not a heavyweight in the style of their 1982, 1983, and 1986, but wow, does it have considerable presence on the palate, not to mention an ethereal bouquet of flowers, cassis, smoke, new oak, and oriental spices. In the mouth, the tannins are tender and the wine is expansive, with remarkable finesse, richness, and a smooth-as-silk finish. With plenty of tannin and substance, this vintage gets my nod as the most classic example of Margaux made under the Menzelopoulos administration. Interestingly, the selection process in 1990 was brutally severe, with one-half of the production being eliminated from the grand vin. This is potentially a majestic vintage for Chateau Margaux. Anticipated maturity: 1997-2020.