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Rhone North & South 1990, with Richard Brazier
Handford Wines, London
Tasted April 10, 2014 by Papies with 441 views
Introduction
A pretty good run from north to south of this beautiful vintage that also included a guest wine.
The wines felt mostly on the younger side with good vibrant core and structure. A lot less earthy than we expected too.The acidity was there and so was the tannin. On a couple we felt the fruit was drying out but in general we were very pleased barring a couple of bad bottles
In general from our experience of 1990 ( and of 89 too) is one of good bottles and bad. Like Beaucastel 1990, good bottles are excellent but we have had our fair share of bad ones. So a healthy well kept bottle will always be rewarding so we urge in a way to pick your sources well, almost more than the wine.
Flight 1 - The Guest Wine (1 note)
Red
1990 Mas de Daumas Gassac
90 points
We have had a couple of dried bottles of this wine so it was good to come across a healthy one. In general this is a good rustic wine but lacks elegance. Good ripe fruit core, alive, good acidity and barring a bit of dry tannin on the finish this was a pretty bottle. a touch shy on the nose and we expected a more earthy side here. 90 and drink now
Flight 2 - The 1990s North & South (9 notes)
Red
1990 Domaine des Bosquets Châteauneuf-du-Pape
flawed
Sweet, stewed maderised and really gone. Shame cause there seem to be a real juicy, ripe fruit core underneath so good healthy bottles should be good wines
Red
1990 Clos du Mont-Olivet Châteauneuf-du-Pape
89 points
A good surprise . Lacks a bit of elegance but still this is healthy with good fruit core. Fruit on the nose, light sweet fruit feel. Good acidity, decent fruit, and just a touch of sharp tannin on the finish. Not bad data all. 89 and drink now
Red
1990 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape
92 points
Proper performance. Nice elegant, fruit and light spicy nose. Very light earthy notes. Good ripe fruit, round and almost silky tannin ,upfront wine. Touch of a sweet core but this makes for good drinking now and we would urge sooner than later. 92-93
Red
1990 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape
flawed
Just a touch of sweet maderised fruit, enough to show that this is not the healthiest bottle. Pity.
Red
1990 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape
95 points
This is a wine that we always sing praises for and it did not let us down. Elegant and full of complexity and depth, good fruit firm tannin and full of life. Took a bit of swirling for the nose to develop but this is a gem of a wine. Just be careful of badly sourced bottles. Had a bit less fruit this time than last but a solid 95
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Comment
Red
1990 Berry Bros. & Rudd Hermitage M. Chapoutier
92 points
Uploaded the label too as it looks like a promotional label, trying to put Rhone valley on the map... Those were the years...
Herby, light nose, elegant and well developed. Light cherry, too. On the palate it felt young, good acidity for structure, felt a bit short on the finish but still a very good wine.91-92 and has easily another 5yrs in it
Herby, light nose, elegant and well developed. Light cherry, too. On the palate it felt young, good acidity for structure, felt a bit short on the finish but still a very good wine.91-92 and has easily another 5yrs in it
Red
1990 M. Chapoutier Hermitage La Sizeranne
93 points
Similar to the plain Hermitage but with a notch up in fruit. less herby and more spicy on the nose, lively, vibrant and with a healthy core of fruit. Nice balance. Rustic wine but very good and as with all healthy Sizerannes pretty good value. 92-93
Red
1990 Bernard Faurie Hermitage
94 points
Open and developed nose, nice floral notes, dark fruits,. Quite a bit of ripe fruit here, lush fruit and the palate shows no signs of earthy character. Dark and intense wine and very impressive. A very good surprise.94
Red
1990 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage
97 points
The nose takes you by surprise, a love Burgundian in complexity, style nose that you keep on going back for more and more. Smoky, roast meat, light spice and dark fruit notes all in beautiful balance.the palate continues on the tune and if we are to be very picky we would have liked some more density of fruit but this sis beautiful and elegant wine. Sheer class ! 96-97 and easily the wine of the night.