I have had the 1989 and 1990 side by side twice. Once I preferred the 1989, the other time the 1990. Interestingly enough, I thought the 1990 was fairly consistent between the two bottles I had and that it was the 1989 that differed.
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2005 BDX is such a lost, forgotten “great vintage of the century.” I remember buying 200 cases of it on the futures market for private consumption thinking the vintage would be the second coming of God, but quickly enough the fickle wine media industry turned its superlatives onto the quickly succeeding seductive, velvety 2009s and super-opulent 2010s as “even better than 2005” and just jettisoned 2005s as old-school classical tannin-ridden has beens. It really does not help matters that the best 2005 BDXs closed down pretty early and many have still not re-entered the world as living beverages–to the point that many Left Bank Chateau owners do not even include 2005s in any of their verticals. But occasionally there are indications that the patience and humility and forbearance of 2005 collectors will finally pay off.
I would not think you’d agree with me. As good as 05 Montrose is, and it’s very good as you can see from notes, due to the style of the tannins.
I think the wine may end up a bit overly firm with hard edges. I think 2009 is a future legend along with 2010, 2016 and perhaps 2018.
As for 89 v 90, a good, clean bottle is superior to the stunning 89, and that says a lot. But it’s a 50/50 gamble on the 90 and every bottle of the 89 has been great
One of two bottles of Montrose I own, will continue to hold and anticipate. Thanks for the note!
I have not had a 2009 that I think will be a future legend. Most of the 2009s I have had are very soft and flabby (just the way you like them) and some have fruit that is overripe and pruny.
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I’ve had a lot of good left bank 2009s. Well made wines in that vintage have a ton of substance that will show with age, many are barely getting started. I think 2009 is a better balanced and more elegant vintage than 2010, lower alcohol in many cases.
John Gilman said the 2009 Montrose was one of the greatest wines from that property ever, if Gilman and Leve agree on a wine it’s probably pretty good
We used to joke back in the day when '90 Montrose was hammering for $500/btl that the true cost was $1k because you had to buy 2 bottles to get 1 good one.
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I think I’ve got a couple of this. Pretty exciting note! Anyone care to compare to the 2000?
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Thanks. That was 4 years ago though; was wondering if anyone had had both more recently.
The 2000 is a bit more muscular but also a touch more funky. As the 2005 unwinds, it is taking the lead for me.
Hmm, I like the sound of that. Are we talking like 1980s Bordeaux funk?
It’s a bit bretty, yes, though not to the extent of the wines of the 1980s and 1990s. It was the last vintage when they used wooden fermentation vats.
Get out of the away, as Alfert makes a beeline to the 2000!!!
Thanks William. I figured this might be among the last soldiers defending the cellar when I shuffle off this mortal coil. Is it approaching maturity?
Neal Martin noted in a recent article he did comparing 2000 to 2001 Bordeaux that he encountered a significant amount of 2000s that had brett, to such effect that he said the 2000 vintage may be the last of the “old-time” Bordeaux vintages.
NM: “I can draw a line that connects 2000 with previous vintages in the 1980s and 1990s. The 2000s have the same tropes. Some have not aged in what one might call “distinguished fashion,” and as Philippe Blanc mentioned, there is a touch of underlying greenness that one could (contentiously) argue is an element that many wine-lovers miss. There is undeniably a higher level of brettanomyces that I abide in small measures, but occasionally it comes at the cost of freshness and precision, certainly to a far greater degree than in 2001.”
No, it needs another ten.
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Had the '15 at The WS Wine Experience last week. Compared to the other young Bordeaux being poured, it was our favorite.
I kind of see 2005 as the “last” of the old-time BDX vintages for better or worse. I have experienced the same brett issues he highlights in it as well especially in the Right Bank wines.
Both 2014 and 2016 are “old time Bordeaux vintages” and also 2008, although at a lesser quality.