Château Margaux, 1990

A prototype Château Margaux that combines power and elegance, this wine which seemed to be sound asleep for nearly a decade, has begun to open over the last several years. Dense ruby/purple with a developing yet compellingly ethereal bouquet of sweet black fruits, violets, smoke, camphor and licorice, this medium-to full bodied, silky textured wine still tastes like a four or five year old barrel sample, but the aromatics are emerging and the wine has thrown off that somewhat monolithic, sleepy stage it was in for nearly a decade.The colour shows very few signs of development. The fabulous bouquet is just emerging, and the wine is full-bodied, opulent and very rich. It is a great acheivement in this vintage and should be drinkable in another 4-5 years and last for at least 3-4 decades. Anticipated maturity:20015-2040. Robert Parker 100 points.