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Bordeaux 1990 horizontal tasting
Fribourg
Tasted August 24, 2020 by sirpat00 with 726 views
Introduction
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business. Tannins were rarely well integrated, palates bursting with fresh and juicy fruit and to my surprise I even found myself struggling to find aging notes in quite a few wines. But the performance was inconsistent among estates with some having closed down (or closed down again) while others appeared past their peak.
Unfortunately I never had a chance to taste 1990 Bordeaux fresh in the bottle, but you can feel the long term aging potential that was built into the structure of this hot and dry vintage. However, my high hopes were not met on average as the line-up lacked the type of high-flyers I encountered in other vintage verticals, like Margaux, Haut-Brion in 2009; Mouton, VCC and again Margaux in 2010 and Cheval Blanc in 2015.
None of the wines were decanted prior to serving and presented in flights of 4, all blind. Within the detail, the 24 wine line-up presented a number of surprises. My top list includes some usual suspects as you would expect like Figeac (96), Haut-Brion (95) and Mouton (95). The biggest positive surprises were Calon Ségur (95) and Marquis de Terme (96) while an honourable mention went to Montrose (94).
Lowlights included Troplong Mondot (80 or NR if you're generous), Ducru (88) and Léoville Las Cases. Of the big guns the most painful disappoints were Cheval Blanc (93), Latour (92) and Ausone (90), hopefully they are just in a dumb phase… Time will tell.
The sample size was too small for reliable conclusions, not least because St Emillon and St Julien were represented disproportionately in the sample size (almost half of the 24 wines). But what I would say is generally the right bank – with the exception of Figeac – is not in a good spot right now. And neither is St Julien. Paulliac was mixed. St Estephe and Pessac, on the other hand, look like safe bets to open now. Lastly, given an outstanding Marquis de Terme, I would really like to explore Margaux further – unfortunately this was the only wine from the appellation.
Line-up in descending order:
Figeac (96)
Marquis de Terme (96)
Haut-Brion (95)
Mouton (95)
Calon Ségur (95)
Montrose (94)
Haut-Bailly (94)
Yquem (94)
Cheval Blanc (93)
Lynch Bages (93)
Latour (92)
Pichon Lalande (92)
Canon (92)
L'Evangile (91)
Gruaud Larose (91)
Ausone (90)
Beychevelle (90)
Léoville Las Cases (89)
Lagrange (89)
Ducru Beaucaillou (88)
Sociando Mallet (88)
Troplong Mondot (80)
Talbot (NR)
Clerc Milon (NR)
Flight 1 (4 notes)
Red
1990 Château Haut-Bailly
94 points
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlights included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
Tobacco, barnyard, scorched earth, dark fruit, dry leather. Fresh and fruit forward palate, tannin with grip and a long, juicy finish. This was the oldest Haut-Bailley I have tasted to date (others include 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2017) and I'm impressed by the constantly good to very good performance over the years.
Tasting note
Tobacco, barnyard, scorched earth, dark fruit, dry leather. Fresh and fruit forward palate, tannin with grip and a long, juicy finish. This was the oldest Haut-Bailley I have tasted to date (others include 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2017) and I'm impressed by the constantly good to very good performance over the years.
Red
1990 Château Haut-Brion
95 points
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlights included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
A lot of depth and concentration, intense fruit emanating some heat, but all in manageable territory. Great nose of black truffles, mushrooms and lots of ink. Dark berries mostly as fruit. Palate still very wild but showing lots of leathery, aging notes whilst otherwise appearing young and untamed with a bitter touch. A great albeit still very young wine with a bold structure and built for very long term aging. One of my highlights and I'm sure a good marathon-decant would fast-forward you into even greater realms of pleasure.
Tasting note
A lot of depth and concentration, intense fruit emanating some heat, but all in manageable territory. Great nose of black truffles, mushrooms and lots of ink. Dark berries mostly as fruit. Palate still very wild but showing lots of leathery, aging notes whilst otherwise appearing young and untamed with a bitter touch. A great albeit still very young wine with a bold structure and built for very long term aging. One of my highlights and I'm sure a good marathon-decant would fast-forward you into even greater realms of pleasure.
Red
1990 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
92 points
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlights included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
Not overly expressive at first, but opening up. Espresso, red and dark cherry, blueberries, smoky oak notes and leather. Round and well integrated palate, but lacking layers. Otherwise very much fruit forward. But there is details and finesse to the nose which has to be liked and a patient drinker or arduous decanter might very well be rewarded with much more than what I found.
Tasting note
Not overly expressive at first, but opening up. Espresso, red and dark cherry, blueberries, smoky oak notes and leather. Round and well integrated palate, but lacking layers. Otherwise very much fruit forward. But there is details and finesse to the nose which has to be liked and a patient drinker or arduous decanter might very well be rewarded with much more than what I found.
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Comments (3)
Red
1990 Château Sociando-Mallet
88 points
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlights included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
A mixed berry type of nose showing only few aging notes. Wonder if in a closed phase currently. Acidity overhang on the palate and drying tannin structure provided for an unpleasant finish.
Tasting note
A mixed berry type of nose showing only few aging notes. Wonder if in a closed phase currently. Acidity overhang on the palate and drying tannin structure provided for an unpleasant finish.
Flight 2 (4 notes)
Red
1990 Château Figeac
96 points
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlights included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
Intense, ripe fruit of dark cherries, leather and meaty notes with underlying film of menthol. A linearly structured palate with good balance, although still a bit wild. While not quite ready, this command your full attention from the very first moment. Very strong and the wine of the tasting for me.
Tasting note
Intense, ripe fruit of dark cherries, leather and meaty notes with underlying film of menthol. A linearly structured palate with good balance, although still a bit wild. While not quite ready, this command your full attention from the very first moment. Very strong and the wine of the tasting for me.
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Red
1990 Château Troplong Mondot
80 points
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlights included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
Overripe and alcoholic leaving the impression of soy sauce in the making. Unpleasant palate with green, coarse tannin and a vinegar-like taste. Beyond the peak at the verge of imploding was my take. Others in the group were less strict arguing that this is just the oxidative style of Troplong Mondot. But I have my doubts. Neither the 2005, 2009, 2010, 2016 or 2017 were in the least oxidative (all tasted over the last 2 years). Either this was a bad bottle or just an unlucky vintage for the estate.
Tasting note
Overripe and alcoholic leaving the impression of soy sauce in the making. Unpleasant palate with green, coarse tannin and a vinegar-like taste. Beyond the peak at the verge of imploding was my take. Others in the group were less strict arguing that this is just the oxidative style of Troplong Mondot. But I have my doubts. Neither the 2005, 2009, 2010, 2016 or 2017 were in the least oxidative (all tasted over the last 2 years). Either this was a bad bottle or just an unlucky vintage for the estate.
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Red
1990 Château Cheval Blanc
93 points
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlights included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
Fine, roasted coffee beans, dark fruit, dried tobacco leaves, other herbal notes. Tannic palate, but not in a bad way, just not ready yet. Muscular build. Fresh and fruity otherwise with a medium+ finish. You can feel the complexity slumbering underneath - but just can’t quite reach it yet. Would very much expect to see me penciling in >95 in 5 or 10 years' time. But for now I'd rather (by far) pop a 2015 bottle than 1990.
Tasting note
Fine, roasted coffee beans, dark fruit, dried tobacco leaves, other herbal notes. Tannic palate, but not in a bad way, just not ready yet. Muscular build. Fresh and fruity otherwise with a medium+ finish. You can feel the complexity slumbering underneath - but just can’t quite reach it yet. Would very much expect to see me penciling in >95 in 5 or 10 years' time. But for now I'd rather (by far) pop a 2015 bottle than 1990.
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Red
1990 Château Ausone
90 points
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlights included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
My relationship with Ausone seems cursed. One of the top estates not only in St Emilion, but across Bordeaux, with eye-watering price tags no matter if you buy en primeur or second hand. And despite various attempts, yours truly just never seems to have the luck of having a truly convincing bottle (so far had 1993, 2009, 2010 – of which 2009 best). Unusually green in comparison with others in the vintage, beyond just the menthol touch. Fine aging notes somewhere in the background. Ripe, pretty dark berry fruit. This appears closed for business at the moment. Fresh and fruity palate, but with lots of tannin. This probably needs another decade I’m afraid.
Tasting note
My relationship with Ausone seems cursed. One of the top estates not only in St Emilion, but across Bordeaux, with eye-watering price tags no matter if you buy en primeur or second hand. And despite various attempts, yours truly just never seems to have the luck of having a truly convincing bottle (so far had 1993, 2009, 2010 – of which 2009 best). Unusually green in comparison with others in the vintage, beyond just the menthol touch. Fine aging notes somewhere in the background. Ripe, pretty dark berry fruit. This appears closed for business at the moment. Fresh and fruity palate, but with lots of tannin. This probably needs another decade I’m afraid.
Flight 3 (4 notes)
Red
1990 Château Calon-Ségur
95 points
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlights included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
Detailed and delicate nose of dried herbs, a bit of tobacco, espresso, ripe almost jammy fruit. The refined texture imposes lots of character and personality carrying great depth and concentration. By far not ready yet, but one of the strongest presentation in the line-up and beating younger top vintages such as 2009, 2010 and 2016 (not the stellar 2018, however).
Tasting note
Detailed and delicate nose of dried herbs, a bit of tobacco, espresso, ripe almost jammy fruit. The refined texture imposes lots of character and personality carrying great depth and concentration. By far not ready yet, but one of the strongest presentation in the line-up and beating younger top vintages such as 2009, 2010 and 2016 (not the stellar 2018, however).
Red
1990 Château Montrose
94 points
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlights included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
Elegant, very faint hints of brett, minty with fresh, ripe and red berry fruit. Big and bold on the palate yet with a soft mouthfeel. Very fresh and fruity finish. Not in the same league as the 1989, but a strong Montrose nonetheless. If you must open, give it a good 6h decant.
Tasting note
Elegant, very faint hints of brett, minty with fresh, ripe and red berry fruit. Big and bold on the palate yet with a soft mouthfeel. Very fresh and fruity finish. Not in the same league as the 1989, but a strong Montrose nonetheless. If you must open, give it a good 6h decant.
Red
1990 Château Latour Grand Vin
92 points
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlights included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
This felt as if was standing on the back feet, trying to avoid getting into close contact. But one of the most unique bouquets of the night. A personality best described as dark, herbal even with bit of black olives - could pass as a Syrah at first sight! But then entirely different on the palate. Shining red fruit, lots of acidity with not yet integrated, mouth-coating tannin. You have to acknowledge the singularity here, but pleasure factor was low to be honest. Again probably best stored away for another few years.
Tasting note
This felt as if was standing on the back feet, trying to avoid getting into close contact. But one of the most unique bouquets of the night. A personality best described as dark, herbal even with bit of black olives - could pass as a Syrah at first sight! But then entirely different on the palate. Shining red fruit, lots of acidity with not yet integrated, mouth-coating tannin. You have to acknowledge the singularity here, but pleasure factor was low to be honest. Again probably best stored away for another few years.
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Red
1990 Château Lynch-Bages
93 points
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlights included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
Almost sweet, sugar-coated type of red berry fruit with only hints of aging notes. This lack of perceptible aging also carries on to the palate where this showed juicy and fresh with a long-lasting finish. I have had great experiences with aged Lynch Bages (1982 and 1989), but this was not one of them.
Tasting note
Almost sweet, sugar-coated type of red berry fruit with only hints of aging notes. This lack of perceptible aging also carries on to the palate where this showed juicy and fresh with a long-lasting finish. I have had great experiences with aged Lynch Bages (1982 and 1989), but this was not one of them.
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Flight 4 (4 notes)
Red
1990 Château Clerc Milon
flawed
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlights included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
Herbal freshness surrounding an intense, ripe, rather red type of fruit. Unfortunately this was slightly corked in the nose, but more so on the palate.
Tasting note
Herbal freshness surrounding an intense, ripe, rather red type of fruit. Unfortunately this was slightly corked in the nose, but more so on the palate.
Red
1990 Château Mouton Rothschild
94 points
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlights included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
Roasted coffee bean, very fine aging notes of leather, fruit profile of broad palate of berries, drops of spices and dried herbs. Intense palate with lots of fruit, comparatively round for the vintage at this stage – on the downside in the finish an acidity overhang which kept me from going higher. Having said that, the crowd was of a completely different opinion arguing that the 1990 was outright unpalatable along with other vintages in the 90ies like 1994 and 1996. While I agree on the latter (especially on 1994), going back to my previous 1990 notes a 18 months or so ago I found a pretty consistent assessment, including on acidity. The nay-sayers are wrong.
Tasting note
Roasted coffee bean, very fine aging notes of leather, fruit profile of broad palate of berries, drops of spices and dried herbs. Intense palate with lots of fruit, comparatively round for the vintage at this stage – on the downside in the finish an acidity overhang which kept me from going higher. Having said that, the crowd was of a completely different opinion arguing that the 1990 was outright unpalatable along with other vintages in the 90ies like 1994 and 1996. While I agree on the latter (especially on 1994), going back to my previous 1990 notes a 18 months or so ago I found a pretty consistent assessment, including on acidity. The nay-sayers are wrong.
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Comments (1)
Red
1990 Château Léoville Las Cases
89 points
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlights included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
Extracted, dark berry fruit at the verge of turning sour, in my view. Astringent palate with a bitter, mountain herbs candy touch. I was crestfallen with this was revealed to be the Las Cases. By coincidence, Jeff Leve also posted two days after my tasting on Insta a bottle of Las Cases saying that finally after 30 years the 1990 has come around - and recent scores from fellow CT peers have also been strong. So there is still hope that we just hit a bad bottle here.
Tasting note
Extracted, dark berry fruit at the verge of turning sour, in my view. Astringent palate with a bitter, mountain herbs candy touch. I was crestfallen with this was revealed to be the Las Cases. By coincidence, Jeff Leve also posted two days after my tasting on Insta a bottle of Las Cases saying that finally after 30 years the 1990 has come around - and recent scores from fellow CT peers have also been strong. So there is still hope that we just hit a bad bottle here.
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Comments (2)
Red
1990 Château Gruaud Larose
91 points
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlighs included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
Medicinal and herbal with a dark, jammy fruit. Very fruity and juicy palate. There is a uniqueness to it that appealing in a way. But a rather simple wine overall and the uniqueness could also be seen as just unwanted greenness from a glitch in the wine-making.
Tasting note
Medicinal and herbal with a dark, jammy fruit. Very fruity and juicy palate. There is a uniqueness to it that appealing in a way. But a rather simple wine overall and the uniqueness could also be seen as just unwanted greenness from a glitch in the wine-making.
Flight 5 (4 notes)
Red
1990 Château Talbot
flawed
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlighs included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
Oxidized into beef juice unfortunately and - at least this bottle - years past its peak. Not much left on the palate but acidity and tannin. Quite unpleasant.
Tasting note
Oxidized into beef juice unfortunately and - at least this bottle - years past its peak. Not much left on the palate but acidity and tannin. Quite unpleasant.
Red
1990 Château Marquis de Terme
96 points
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlighs included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
Beautifully floral and perfumed nose. Underneath ripe raspberry. Leathery and barnyard aging notes. Elegant and feminine with great posture. Fresh, green herbs. Big-bodied palate, great balance with fresh fruit, a rather long finish and firmly structured backbone. This was probably the surprise of the tasting, equalizing Figeac on the pedestal. Where did this come from?! Anyhow, what's deserved is deserved and blind-tasting is always fair. I should add, though, that the kind host mentioned that this was by far the best bottle he's had of the 1990 in recent years. Every once in a while bottle variation also works your way it seems…
Tasting note
Beautifully floral and perfumed nose. Underneath ripe raspberry. Leathery and barnyard aging notes. Elegant and feminine with great posture. Fresh, green herbs. Big-bodied palate, great balance with fresh fruit, a rather long finish and firmly structured backbone. This was probably the surprise of the tasting, equalizing Figeac on the pedestal. Where did this come from?! Anyhow, what's deserved is deserved and blind-tasting is always fair. I should add, though, that the kind host mentioned that this was by far the best bottle he's had of the 1990 in recent years. Every once in a while bottle variation also works your way it seems…
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Red
1990 Château Canon
92 points
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlighs included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
Ripe, rather dark cherry type of fruit. There is a broader aromatic profile surrounding this but hard to disentangle given limited expressive power. Fresh and fruity palate, but with plenty of tannin that is in no way integrated. Another one for the needs-much-more-time basket.
Tasting note
Ripe, rather dark cherry type of fruit. There is a broader aromatic profile surrounding this but hard to disentangle given limited expressive power. Fresh and fruity palate, but with plenty of tannin that is in no way integrated. Another one for the needs-much-more-time basket.
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Red
1990 Château L'Evangile
91 points
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlighs included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
Not overly expressive, quite restrained fruit, but if you look long enough you‘ll find fresh red raspberry and a bit of strawberry in the mix. Unexciting palate with slightly coarse tannin and acidity that didn't fit well with a lack of texture. At its current stage, the weakest showing of an Evangile I've had so far.
Tasting note
Not overly expressive, quite restrained fruit, but if you look long enough you‘ll find fresh red raspberry and a bit of strawberry in the mix. Unexciting palate with slightly coarse tannin and acidity that didn't fit well with a lack of texture. At its current stage, the weakest showing of an Evangile I've had so far.
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Comments (3)
Flight 6 (3 notes)
Red
1990 Château Beychevelle
90 points
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlighs included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
Very extracted fruit which carries on to an alcoholic palate. Hard to find any signs of aging here which again just re-confirms the level of extraction, I guess. But if you like high-octane Bordeaux and can't find your big wallet, this was actually acceptable overall.
Tasting note
Very extracted fruit which carries on to an alcoholic palate. Hard to find any signs of aging here which again just re-confirms the level of extraction, I guess. But if you like high-octane Bordeaux and can't find your big wallet, this was actually acceptable overall.
Red
1990 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
88 points
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlighs included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
Fresh, pretty polished fruit which transports to the palate. At this point, dipping my nose into glass number 24, I lack the energy for more detailed notes. But this feels nowhere near ready and I fear this will never be given the stark imbalance of structural elements on the palate.
Tasting note
Fresh, pretty polished fruit which transports to the palate. At this point, dipping my nose into glass number 24, I lack the energy for more detailed notes. But this feels nowhere near ready and I fear this will never be given the stark imbalance of structural elements on the palate.
Red
1990 Château Lagrange (Pomerol)
89 points
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlighs included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
Fine cedar box, sweet berry fruit. Same on the palate, fresh and fruity but with mouth-coating tannin. Nothing to see here really.
Tasting note
Fine cedar box, sweet berry fruit. Same on the palate, fresh and fruity but with mouth-coating tannin. Nothing to see here really.
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Flight 7 (1 note)
White - Sweet/Dessert
1990 Château d'Yquem
94 points
1990 Bordeaux horizontal hosted by a private collector. 30 years down the road, the vintage comes across as bold and muscular, youthful and in general not yet open for business or at times closed. Highlighs included Figeac, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Calon Ségur – and to my surprise – Marquis de Terme. See tasting story for more take-aways and the complete line-up.
Tasting note
Only a very brief comment. Full-bodied, concentrated and built for endless aging. Sweet melon, honey, bee wax, candid fruit the main aromas. Less spicy and no saffron as in more recent vintages. Clearly a very good Sweet wine, but not my favorite vintage from this estate.
Tasting note
Only a very brief comment. Full-bodied, concentrated and built for endless aging. Sweet melon, honey, bee wax, candid fruit the main aromas. Less spicy and no saffron as in more recent vintages. Clearly a very good Sweet wine, but not my favorite vintage from this estate.
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