1990 CHÂTEAU PAPE CLEMENT 1990

(06-2017) Marvellous. Its fruity peaty nose impresses. The palate is all in velvety, caressing, unbelievable pulp and above all redoubled by an unexpected fresh shade (large soils always compensate for the climatic effect).

(06-2009). This complex, dark garnetplum-tinged wine reveals some bricking at the edge, and its beautiful, smoky, meaty nose exhibits notions of sweet currants, black cherries, and licorice. Medium to full-bodied and fleshy with low acidity, sweet tannin, and an expansive mouthfeel with no hard edges, it is a fully mature 1990 that should drink well for another decade. In my opinion, the Pape Clement vintages from 1998 onward are even more impressive and deeper. Moreover, they possess greater longevity.

(05-2017) Smoke, tobacco and smoked dark, red fruits sums this up nicely. Tasting and smelling like a cigar, burning cedar wood, smoked meats, earth dark, red fruits also made an appearance. The texture has started taking on the patina of age, but be forewarned, the cigar and smoke elements carry through from the nose and the palate. So, you have to like that character. The table was mixed on the wine. But I liked it. Fully mature, popped and poured, decanting was not needed here.