Vinous - Ian D'Agata (93)

(95% merlot and 5% cabernet franc; 3.57 pH; 70 IPT; 13.9 % alcohol): Deep ruby with a hint of amber at the edge. Initially slightly reduced nose of coffee grounds and underbrush opens slowly with air to reveal red cherry jam, cassis, and tobacco. Then lush, round and rich in the mouth, displaying plum, blackberry and tobacco flavors of noteworthy freshness and finishes with rather soft tannins. Opulent for Magdelaine yet beautifully balanced--and much better than I remembered it. The suave finish features sneaky concentration and a persistent note of tobacco. A superb Magdelaine that is already drinking well and probably won't gain much by further cellaring, though it should remain at this plateau for another ten years. The vintage was characterized by a February heatwave (one day even recorded an unbelievable 26°C!), but bad weather during the flowering period caused considerable coulure and the cabernets in particular were variable in quality from estate to estate. A very hot, dry July and August (40°C on July 21 and 22) really stamped its character on the 1990s, leading to many scorched, sunburned berries. It was also important to harvest the merlot prior to the weekend of September 22 and 23, when a thunderstorm hit. On the basis of this wine, I'd say they got it all right at J. P. Moueix.

Wine Advocate (100)

The 1990 Château Margaux is really beginning to hit its stride at age 31, soaring from the glass with aromas of blackberries and cassis mingled with notions of licorice, cedar and violets, framed by subtle hints of vanilla and spice. Full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, it's seamless and complete, its velvety tannins and ripe acids entirely cloaked in a lavish but vibrant core of fruit. This is an especially dramatic, fleshy rendition of Margaux, yet it remains impeccably balanced and has decades of longevity ahead of it.

Wine Advocate (100)

The 1990 Château Margaux is really beginning to hit its stride at age 31, soaring from the glass with aromas of blackberries and cassis mingled with notions of licorice, cedar and violets, framed by subtle hints of vanilla and spice. Full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, it's seamless and complete, its velvety tannins and ripe acids entirely cloaked in a lavish but vibrant core of fruit. This is an especially dramatic, fleshy rendition of Margaux, yet it remains impeccably balanced and has decades of longevity ahead of it.

Wine Advocate (100)

Tasted at the Montrose vertical in London, the 1990 Montrose is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc (almost identical to the 1989 Montrose) and picked between 14 September and 3 October. It has a formidable reputation and for years it overshadowed the 1989. That said, it is well known that there are incidences of brettanomyces that compromise some bottles and the one bottle in London showed just a tincture of this. It still merited a score of 97/100, though it only served to highlight the ethereal delineation of the 1989. Then literally a couple of days later. I was served blind a magnum of the 1990 Montrose in Cape Town, which had been purchased on release and stored in perfect conditions. Now, here was the real deal, unfettered by any infection, a regal Saint Estèphe. It shows approximately the same evolution as the 1989 in bottle, but unsurprisingly showed less bricking in magnum format. The bouquet is cut from a different cloth to the 1989 and attests to that warm vintage: hickory, clove, undergrowth and wild fennel, later garrigue-like scents and terracotta, the latter two more pronounced on the bottle format compared to the youthful magnum. The palate is full-bodied and powerful, yet the balance is perfect, a ballerina-like poise with the structure of the Forth Bridge. It is a multi-layered Montrose that offers enormous length, fresh and vibrant with the magnum demonstrating tangible mineralite and tension as it fans out on the crescendo of a finish—a fanfare for Saint Estèphe in all its glory. Improving all the time in the glass, this example of 1990 Montrose is a privilege to behold. One can speculate whether larger formats are a safer bet in terms of experiencing this behemoth without any brettanomyces. Perhaps. However, if you do come across the 1990 Montrose like this, you are in the presence of a king. Tasted January 2017.

Experience the luscious versatility of the Nittardi Chianti Classico Riserva 1990. Hailing from Tuscany's renowned Nittardi Estate dating back to the 16th century, this elegant wine is sourced from 100% handpicked Sangiovese grapes. Nestled amidst olives and cypress trees, the low-yielding vines grow on marl and limestone soils, fostering a rich, complex character. The vinification involves traditional methods, including fermentation in stainless steel followed by maturing in French and Slavonian oak barrels.

As a result, the Nittardi Chianti Classico Riserva 1990 promises a ruby-red allure with ripe fruit aromas, splendidly balanced by hints of liquorice, tobacco and black pepper. The balanced tannins and harmonious acidity lead to a long, lingering finish. A sheer epitome of Tuscan viticulture, this full-bodied vintage fulfils the refined palate of connoisseurs, continuing Nittardi's legacy of combining tradition and innovation in crafting world-class wines.

Indulge in the world-class elegance of Olivier 1990, a majestic Bordeaux from France's esteemed Château Olivier. As a trusted steward of tradition, Château Olivier is famed for creating nuanced, multi-dimensional wines that exhibit the rich character of Bordeaux's terroir. The 1990 vintage celebrates the pinnacle of their craftsmanship - a legendary year for winemaking in the region, yielding wines of extraordinary concentration and longevity.

The Olivier 1990 is typified by its depth and complexity - layers of ripe black fruits, truffles, and tobacco harmonising in a symphony of flavours. Remarkable tannic structure and a vibrant acidity offer an impeccably balanced palate. Matured for 18 months in oak barrels, this wine reveals intricate undertones of cocoa and spices that enrich the textural richness. Framed by the ethereal elegance of its Pessac-Léognan appellation, the Olivier 1990 remains an unparalleled example of long-lived Bordeaux, testament to its superior vintage. Immerse in the pure sophistication of this revered quaff, each sip promising a journey to the heart of Château Olivier's legacy.

Vinous (90)

The 1990 Opus One is another powerful wine built on a serious core of tannin and structure. There is plenty of richness in the glass, but a little less intensity and complexity than the best wines of this era. I imagine the 1990 will still be a delicious wine in another decade. The 1990 is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 3% Merlot.

Jancis Robinson (18)

Magnum. Deep ruby. Completely rich, sweet and gorgeous with a hint of graphite on the nose. Beautiful lift and elegance but on the finish it was a real throat warmer. Just my sort of wine. But after 45 minutes or so, it lost a bit of fruit in the glass and the acidity became much more obvious, suggesting it may not have that much more to give, even from a magnum.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (87)

Moderately saturated medium color. Floral, minty, new-oaky nose, with an exotic coconut note; showed some alcohol as it opened in the glass. Silky, supple, and moderately concentrated finishes with palate-caressing tannins and spicy oak. Nicely balanced for early drinking.

Wine Advocate (100)

The 1990 Petrus remains incredibly young, one of the least evolved wines of the vintage (along with Montrose and Beausejour-Duffau). This dense ruby/purple-colored effort is beginning to hint at the massive richness and full-bodied intensity lurking beneath its wall of tannin. The vintage’s sweetness, low acidity, and velvety tannins are present in abundance, and the wine is massive in the mouth as well as incredibly pure and well-delineated. I thought it would be drinkable by now, but it appears another 5-10 years will pass before it begins to reach its plateau of maturity. This wine is capable of lasting at least four more decades. An incredible achievement! Release price: ($5000.00/case)

Wine Advocate (100)

The 1990 Petrus remains incredibly young, one of the least evolved wines of the vintage (along with Montrose and Beausejour-Duffau). This dense ruby/purple-colored effort is beginning to hint at the massive richness and full-bodied intensity lurking beneath its wall of tannin. The vintage’s sweetness, low acidity, and velvety tannins are present in abundance, and the wine is massive in the mouth as well as incredibly pure and well-delineated. I thought it would be drinkable by now, but it appears another 5-10 years will pass before it begins to reach its plateau of maturity. This wine is capable of lasting at least four more decades. An incredible achievement! Release price: ($5000.00/case)

Wine Advocate (100)

The 1990 Petrus remains incredibly young, one of the least evolved wines of the vintage (along with Montrose and Beausejour-Duffau). This dense ruby/purple-colored effort is beginning to hint at the massive richness and full-bodied intensity lurking beneath its wall of tannin. The vintage’s sweetness, low acidity, and velvety tannins are present in abundance, and the wine is massive in the mouth as well as incredibly pure and well-delineated. I thought it would be drinkable by now, but it appears another 5-10 years will pass before it begins to reach its plateau of maturity. This wine is capable of lasting at least four more decades. An incredible achievement! Release price: ($5000.00/case)

Jancis Robinson (17)

Very little red fruit at all. Milky, salty, tight. Very austere and structural.

James Suckling (98)

This vintage is dense and reminds me of white truffles. Plus, there are bread dough and ripe fruit undertones. It's full-bodied, rich and layered. Fabulous. Seems to grow in density with air. At its peak now.