Our opinion on the 1990 vintage

1990, one of the best vintages of the 20th century in France

The 1990 vintage is an exceptional vintage in France which produces rich and abundant wines. It is also that of the consecration of the “Trois Glorieuses”: 3 exceptional vintages 1988 – 1989– 1990 a>.

During the year 1990, the climatic conditions were excellent, the summer was hot and dry and the autumn cool and sunny, which allows the grapes to ripen slowly and develop complex aromas.

Red wines have a high concentration of rich, powerful tannins and little acidity giving excellent aromatic balance.

The wines are often highly regarded by wine lovers and collectors.

All 1990 wines

Bordeaux 1990, a vintage with exceptional aging potential

In terms of climate, 1990 is the second hottest year of the century after 1947, and the sunniest after 1949 in the Bordeaux region.

The 1990 vintage produced exceptional red wines of great maturity and strong aging potential which can still be tasted today. We are talking in particular about the wines from the left bank of the Médoc, the Grands Crus Classés from Château Margaux, Latour and Mouton Rothschild as well as the great estates of prestigious appellations on the Right Bank such as Pomerol and Saint Emilion a>.

The wines are rich, powerful and well structured, with ripe tannins and balanced acidity. The greatest successes come from red wines with a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon (left bank of the Médoc).

White wines also stand out, and more particularly sweet wines like Sauternes and Barsacs. The quality is superb and the aging potential exceptional.

Burgundy 1990, a very high quality vintage

The 1990 vintage is exceptional for the red wines of Burgundy, particularly for those from the Côte de Nuit.

Climatic conditions are favorable for the production of high quality grapes, and the choice of harvest date has a significant impact on the aromatic profile and structure of the wines. Indeed, estates that harvest later than the start date in the region (September 17, 1990) are rewarded with fuller red wines with character, with firm but silky tannins, with strong aging potential. This is the case for the wines of Domaine de la Romanée Conti.

The white wines of Burgundy are also of very high quality, particularly the 1990 Chablis, and in the Macônnais.

Côte de Beaune Chardonnays are rich in aromas, with ripe yellow fruits, citrus, butter and hazelnuts. On the palate, they are rich and complex with lively acidity and beautiful structure.

Rhône Valley 1990, a remarkable and sunny vintage

The 1990 vintage is also a remarkable success in the Rhône Valley. Although the vineyard suffered from drought, the sunshine produced rich, concentrated and balanced red wines with very good aging potential.

These are the appellations Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage which have produced particularly successful wines. The wines are complex, both dense and tannic and have an aging capacity of up to several decades.

The appellations Châteauneuf du Pape, Gigondas and Vacqueyras obtain powerful, long-lasting wines. great aromatic intensity.

White wines from 1990 are of greater quality in the North than in the South. The exceptional late harvests in Condrieu produce wines with beautiful minerality, complexity and benefit from a good acidity for good aging.

Champagne 1990, a benchmark vintage

Champagne is no exception to the rule, it is excellent in vintage 1990.

The beginning of 1990 was complicated by the April frosts which affected more than 40% of the vineyard. Fortunately, the region has a record level of sunshine which favors the growth and maturation of the grapes.

The result is very beautiful wines with a perfect balance between the degree of alcohol and acidity and great aromatic richness.

The 1990 vintage produced Champagnes powerful, vinous and acidic. Their aging potential is significant.

Are you looking for a 1990 wine? Discover our favorite wines.

Our favorites from the 1990 vintage

CHÂTEAU HAUT BRION 1990

Rated 100/100 by Falstaff

“Powerful ruby garnet, good depth of color, violet highlights, delicate rim. Delicately spicy, black and red berries, candied mandarin peel, spicy tobacco notes. Juicy, extremely fresh and elegant, structure rich in finesse, chocolatey tannins, very long persistence, mineral notes on the finish, tense, sweet juniper, definite future potential. Great class.”

Tasted in June 2020

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CHÂTEAU MONTROSE 1990

Rated 100/100 by Robert PARKER – The Wine Advocate

“The wine is remarkably rich, with a distinctive nose of sweet, jammy fruit, liquefied minerals, new leather and grilled steak. On the palate, the enormous concentration of extracts, high glycerin and soft tannins glides easily over the palate. This is a huge, corpulent, incredibly endowed wine that remains relatively affordable, as it hasn’t yet begun to close its doors and lose its baby fat. It completely embarrassed the 1989, itself an exceptional wine.”

Tasted in February 1997

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GUIGAL La Landonne 1990

Rated 100/100 by Robert PARKER – The Wine Advocate

“La Landonne 1990 is a perfect wine! Fortunately, over 800 cases were produced. It has an opaque black color, and a huge nose perfumed with truffle, licorice, blackcurrant and pepper. While it’s one of the most concentrated wines I’ve ever tasted, it’s perfectly balanced, with sufficient acidity, huge extraction of ripe fruit, tannin, and a phenomenal finish of 70 seconds or more. Such is the essence of Syrah! “

Tasted in January 1997

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