DRC Montrachet, sorted by rating
| 1978 | Montrachet | There were two quite different bottles. One showed definite oxidation. The other was tight and incredibly youthful. It had that legendary, almost searing, acidity that all 1978 white burgundies have. But the DRC has an astonishing amount of fruit underneath. And it is deeply concentrated. A profound wine, one of greatest DRC Montrachets made | 98-100 | ***** |
| 1990 | Montrachet | A huge, voluptuous wine with a lot of backbone. This is a powerhouse which will last for a very long time. In all the tastings of different Montrachets I've participated, the 1990 DRC always sticks out as a very unique, powerful but exceptionally well balanced wine. A great wine, without a doubt. | 98-100 | ***** |
| 1995 | Montrachet | This is one of the styles one looks for in a truly great DRC Montrachet--intense (almost overpowering) richness balanced by strong acidity. The density of fruit is almost that of a red grape and so is the color. The color, already turning golden, is deceptive because many people think it signifies rapid aging. In blind tastings I have often guessed the 1995s (not just the DRC's) as 1989 because of the richness of the fruit and color. In the last few years I have tasted 1996 and 1995 DRC Montrachet side-by-side several times. No doubt it is the 1995 which is a better wine. I include it among the greatest four or five that DRC has made-- 1966 (not available for this tasting, unfortunately), 1978, (perhaps 1983), 1990 and 1995. | 98-100 | ***** |
| 1971 | Montrachet | Still remains a great wine. The intensity of sweetness is astonishing. It used to be drunk quite frequently a decade or so ago and it has held up remarkably well through the years. But age is definitely creeping up now. It remains a very lush wine but one that need not be kept too long | 96-98 | **** |
| 1970 | Montrachet | A more youthful rival to 1971. I have tasted the two side-by-side quite a number of times over a number of years with my Montrachet (DRC)-fanatic friends. Often the 1970 wins out because it always tastes more youthful. It is definitely a bit more classical and less exotic than 1971. In this bottle the acidity was a bit sharp and finish a bit short. It developed marvelously in the glass but I still rated it lower than the 1971 | 94-96 | *** |
| 1973 | Montrachet | A highly underrated vintage in white burgundy (as are 1970 and 1993). This wine showed elegance that was always its hallmark. Lovely acid balancing the clean, fresh, and still youthful flavors. Remarkably long finish. | 94-96 | *** |
| 1983 | Montrachet | I have never much cared for white burgundies from 1983 because of the high alcohol and their lack of balance--except for the DRC. It shows heavy amount of botrytis but with very firm acidity behind it. The high alcohol makes it an unusually big DRC. In the early days I thought it would be among the greatest DRC Montrachets. It was not quite that at the tasting but still excellent | 94-96 | *** |
| 1985 | Montrachet | More round compared to 1986 with a lot of sweetness of the fruit. I preferred it to 1986 even though in the past I've found 1986 to be slightly better. | 94-96 | *** |
| 1986 | Montrachet | Two different bottles. Both bottles showed more color than I've noticed in the previous tastings. Elegant, as it has always been, and slightly lean, but now ready to drink. | 94-96 | *** |
| 1991 | Montrachet | Exotic. Lots of botrytis and lots of fat but still has excellent balance overall. The 1991's, both red and white are quite underrated. | 94-96 | *** |
| 1993 | Montrachet | Beautifully elegant. The color is quite developed. The botrytis is evident, but it is in balance. A perfectly balanced, lighter style, and very underrated DRC. Marvelous. | 94-96 | *** |
| 1996 | Montrachet | Very high acid and lean. If acidity is all one goes by then this is a great wine as a large number of participants concluded. But there is not enough density of fruit to provide the balance. Just compare it to the 1978 which also has an enormous amount of acidity but which is loaded with fruit. Not for this wine. | 94-96 | *** |
| 1998 | Montrachet | Some controversy here. Many thought this was a great wine. I found it a bit clumsy and rough along the edges due to higher acidity. It did develop well in the glass but its not a great wine in my book. | 92-94 | ** |
| 1999 | Montrachet | Very floral bouquet; like so many 1999 white burgundies, a "delicate" character but with that unmistakable DRC density. Hardly any botrytis which makes this more on the classical side. A slightly lighter version of 1996. Soft, round with excellent balance | 92-94 | ** |
| 1968 | Montrachet | This was a cult wine in the years past. Because of the huge concentration of botrytis it used to taste almost like a dry Yquem. It still has that caramel nose, and the intensity of sweetness but it is now showing age | 90-92 | * |
| 1976 | Montrachet | A very hot vintage which showed in the wine. Golden color, and almost molasses like taste, a huge wine but it has a rather dry finish | 90-92 | * |
| 1982 | Montrachet | DRC has, surprisingly, not done well compared to its competitors in this vintage. It does have nice balance but it is showing age with some sharpness in the finish. | 90-92 | * |
| 1989 | Montrachet | Very round but less rich and less balanced than one would expect when compared to the Montrachets from other great producers from this vintage. This has always been a surprising and an uncharacteristic wine from DRC. | 90-92 | * |
| 1996 | Batard Montrachet | Unusually flinty nose, quite rich and big but without the telltale acidity of the 1996s. More ready to drink | 90-92 | * |
| 1997 | Montrachet | Stylish, elegant, and somewhat light, it shows more sweetness in the flavors than most other young DRC Montrachets. One can enjoy it now but unlike 94 it has good acidity to last for sometime. | 90-92 | * |
| 1994 | Montrachet | Intensely floral nose, typical of all the 1994 white burgundies. But not much of a backbone. Quite ready. | 87-90 |