1990 Red Bordeaux

Although I have always rated the 1990 higher than the 1989, I was stunned by just how fabulous the wine was showing in my tasting in late 1996. It possesses an opaque ruby/purple color, as well as a stunning nose of jammy blackcurrants, cedar, spice, and smoke. Full-bodied, with magnificent extract, excellent delineation, outstanding purity, and layers of intensity, this massive, dense, well-balanced Pauillac is the finest Grand-Puy-Lacoste since the 1982. Anticipated maturity: 1998-2015. (Wine Advocate - February 1997)

Well developed in colour and rich, concentrated and full on the nose. Full-bodied on the palate and displaying exceptionally ripe black fruits with vanilla hints. Intense and complex with a long life ahead of it.

Full, ripe, concentrated colour. Ripe, cedary, almost chocolaty on the nose with very ripe fruit aromas. Sweet and a little jammy on the palate with concentrated fruit flavours. A very good wine which while drinking well now still has plenty of scope for developing even more depth.

Cos d`Estournel is named after its 19th century owner, Louis-Gaspard d'Estournel, and it was he who built the bizarre oriental edifice that is a landmark for any tourist in the Médoc. Today Cos is without doubt the leading estate in St Estéphe. The grand vin is typically a blend of 60 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 38 percent Merlot and two percent Cabernet Franc – but do not be fooled by the relatively high Merlot content, as these are full-bodied, dark, brooding tannic wines when young which develop a complexity and intensity that can rival many top growths from Pauillac.

This seductive Cos from the superb 1990 vintage contains around 40 percent Merlot in the blend. This makes for a forward style of Cos, packed with succulent, ripe dark fruit flavours, soft yet powerful tannins and a full-bodied palate.

Far less evolved than the 1989 and still youthful in colour. A rich ripe nose is followed by a dense, well endowed palate packed with black fruits, minerals and toasty oak. Without doubt the finest Leoville-Poyferr of the last 25 years.

The greatest release since the legendary 1982. This is a full bodied, concentrated, rich wine with remarkably well integrated tannins. Explosive blackcurrant and cherry fruit shows no signs of ageing, offering delicious drinking over the next 20 years.

A fully mature, elegant 1990 with an exceptionally flowery, berry, white chocolate, and smoky oak-scented nose, this fleshy, mid-weight La Lagune exhibits a velvety texture and no hard edges. It is an endearing wine that needs to be drunk over the next 5-6 years.
Robert M. Parker, Jr. The Wine Advocate June 2009

The 1990 has turned out better than I expected. It offers a classic Lafite perfume of graphite/lead pencil shavings interwoven with red and black currants, fresh porcini mushrooms, smoke, and tobacco leaf. Medium to full-bodied, soft, and elegant, it is not as concentrated as the 1982, but is a luscious, round Pauillac to enjoy over the next 5-10 years.
Robert M. Parker, Jr. The Wine Advocate #183, June 2009

One of this estate’s superstars (only rivaled by the 1986 and 1996), the 1990 Lagrange exhibits sweet toasty oak notes intermixed with jammy blackberries, cassis, licorice, smoke, and underbrush. Full-bodied with lovely melted tannins, an opulent, fleshy mouthfeel, and loads of purity as well as depth, it has reached full maturity, but is capable of lasting another 10-15 years.
Robert M. Parker, Jr. - The Wine Advocate #183, June 2009

Initially extremely underrated, this is one of the best Pichon-Lalandes for current drinking. With the charming, seductive fruit so typical of the chteau, and all the concentration and balance common to the top 1990s, this has ripe blackcurrant and cedar flavours, and harmonious tannins. Drink now-2008.

I have drunk many bottles of this wine in many different locations, including bottles from my own cellar, and I continue to be amazed by how remarkably consistent it is. One of my favorite Lynch Bages, the 1990 is a more forward, fleshier, and sexier version of the brilliant 1989, and represents a poster bottle of what Lynch Bages is all about. A dense ruby/purple color is followed by a sumptuously sweet bouquet of roasted meats, herbs, sweet creme de cassis fruit, a massive level of glycerin, and silky ripe tannins. It is a hedonistic as well as intellectual turn-on. There is not a hard edge to be found in this delicious 1990, which should last for another 15-20 years in a cold cellar. I would rank the 1990 and 1989 as the two greatest Lynch Bages made in the last 30 years.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - June 2009

Domaine de Chevalier produces 7000 cases a year, this tiny production as been supervised by Olivier Bernard from the Bernard Distilling Company. Since the acquisition in 1983 the wine has been made in a most robust and powerful style with an increase in the use of oak balanced with the almost natural charm and finesse of the wine. Decanted for an hour before serving, the nose offers mature notes of briary fruit, cedar wood and earthy spices, while the palate is rich, broad and endlessly complex. A wine to challenge the mind and soothe the soul.

Fabulous dense inky-black colour, gorgeous explosive bouquet of black fruits and graphite. Typical Mouton, flashy and exotic. Very rich and generous on the palate, concentrated sweetness, fleshy, but with good balancing acidity. Enjoyable now but in no danger of tiring for many years.