Wine Spectator: Smooth and succulent, with attractive earth, tobacco and cassis aromas and flavors. Despite its intensity and concentration, it never loses its sense of balance and harmony. D...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: The 1986 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is another great success from Chateau Montelena. It is actually performing better than the 1985 at the moment, but in the long run I do not...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: The Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, which spends significant time in oak, can be one of California's most riveting wines. First made in 1975, there have been some except...

Wine Spectator: Distinctive in its earthy style, with the fruit showing through the cedary, wet wood and tobacco flavors that dominate this medium-weight, elegantly balanced wine. Some may fi...

Wine Spectator: Deep and concentrated, with lots of smoky nutmeg and tea overtones to the core of plum and cherry flavor, hinting at violet on the nose. Very firm and tannic; will need until ...

Wine Spectator: Elegant, racy and amazingly complex, this is gorgeously balanced to show off all sorts of flavors, from zingy citrus to delicate herb and hints of honey, smoke and apricot. Se...

About this Wine: "...One of the great examples of the appellation, whose owner is the founder of the Pomerol wine syndicate. On the plateau Dr. Alain Raynaud and Chantal Lebreton are the enthu...

Wine Spectator: Shows so much ripe and decadent fruit on the nose, from dried berries and raisin to strawberry and sultana. There is a nutty, cedar undertone as well. Very complex and full-bo...

Wine Spectator: I have always loved this wine. It's a giant, yet also sophisticated and reserved. Still dark-ruby colored, with beautiful aromas of fruits and spices. Full-bodied, with opulen...

Wine Spectator: A very pretty red for current drinking. Ruby-colored center, and a brick-red edge. Plenty of berry and chocolate aromas. Medium-bodied, with fine, silky tannins and a long, ri...

Wine Spectator: Good color. Tanned leather, earth and ripe fruit. Medium- to full-bodied, with herbs and berries. Slight dilution in the center palate.Outstanding, but not a classic Cheval.--...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: Like many of the best wines from this vintage, the 1989 remains a big, muscular, virile, closed Chateauneuf boasting an impressive ruby/purple color displaying no signs of deg...

Wine Spectator: Harmonious, balanced and very fresh '89. Color is medium-dark ruby, with lovely fresh floral and raspberry aromas. Medium- to full-bodied, well-integrated tannins and a fruity...

Wine Spectator: Harmonious, balanced and very fresh '89. Color is medium-dark ruby, with lovely fresh floral and raspberry aromas. Medium- to full-bodied, well-integrated tannins and a fruity...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: This property has turned in a very good effort in 1989. It possesses a deep ruby/garnet color, a sweet, chewy, dense texture, full body, plenty of alcohol, and moderately high...

Wine Spectator: Along with very firm tannins, this wine shows fresh blackberry and stone aromas and flavors and a velvety mouth-feel. Quite dense on the palate. Try after 1997.

Wine Spectator: Perhaps the greatest Beaucastel ever produced. Has the class and structure of a great vintage of Mouton-Rothschild. Deep, inky in color, with intense herb, plum, game and spic...

Wine Spectator: A young, very modern and sleek '89. Inky color. Wonderful aromas of spices, blackberries, cinnamon and vanilla. Full-bodied, with loads of silky tannins and a long, berry-cher...

Wine Spectator: Starts well on the palate but slows down. Lovely aromas of cherry and dark chocolate and hints of earth and vanilla. Full-bodied and velvety, with medium fruit and a medium fi...

Wine Spectator: Absolutely delicious. Dark ruby-red color. Fresh blackberry, black truffle and cherry character; tastes like Sachertorte, with chocolate and cherries, velvety tannins and a lo...