1990 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

Good medium amber-tinged red, with a healthy rim owing to the small crop. Aromas of plum, earth and hazelnut; shortly after the wine's release I read its nutty quality as an herbaceous element but not today. The plushest and silkiest of these wines to this point of the tasting but quite dry and classic too, showing surprising acidity to frame its cherry, dark berry and licorice flavors. Concentrated, tactile and smooth; this is altogether suaver than preceding vintages. The tannins arrive later, gently coating the palate. Barrett noted that this was his first vintage with a gentler destemmer. (13.5% alcohol; still just 20% new oak)

Good medium amber-tinged red, with a healthy rim owing to the small crop. Aromas of plum, earth and hazelnut, shortly after the wine's release I read its nutty quality as an herbaceous element but not today. The plushest and silkiest of these wines to this point of the tasting but quite dry and classic too, showing surprising acidity to frame its cherry, dark berry and licorice flavors. Concentrated, tactile and smooth; this is altogether suaver than preceding vintages. The tannins arrive later, gently coating the palate. Barrett noted that this was his first vintage with a gentler destemmer. (13.5% alcohol; still just 20% new oak)

Medium to deep garnet-brick in color, the 1990 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate sings with amazing expressiveness, sporting crème de cassis, blueberry tart and dried roses on the nose with touches of cloves, cigar box and Bovril. Medium-bodied, the palate is chock full of expressive black and blue fruit preserves with velvety tannins and a long, spicy finish.