1990 Vintage: General Appreciation
The 1990’s were a good decade for Burgundy producing a couple of excellent vintages along with a number of very attractive ones. The decade got off to an excellent start with 1990 which was considered as one of the finest vintages in modern times. The start of the growing season was Réasonable though there were problems with the weather through May and June which was much cooler than normal. The summer was hot and dry but rain came just at the right time and harvest was conducted under perfect conditions. It was a large but highly successful crop especially for the reds though there is the concern that some have more structure especially, tannin than fruit.
Red Wines
Even though some growers yields were a little high (especially compared to recent standards), the best of the reds were magnificent right from the start. The top wines are rich, powerful and concentrated with long flavours and as they age they have started to show more finesse. The concern with some of the wines is that because of the Réasonably high yields, tannins and structures they are drying-out. Clearly, the best are still outstanding with plenty of live left in them.
White Wines
It is true to say that the whites were more variable and at the best they had rich, ripe fruits but allied with good acidity and freshness. The very best are still drinking now but as ever selecting those is important.

 

Best Red Wines of the Vintage

Red Wines of the Vintage
Gevrey Chambertin: Chambertin (Bouchard), Chambertin (Drouhin), Chambertin (Rousseau), Chambertin Clos de Bèze (Faiveley), Chambertin Clos de Bèze (Groffier), Chambertin Clos de Bèze (Jadot), Chambertin Clos de Bèze (Rousseau), Chapelle Chambertin (Ponsot), Charmes Chambertin (Dujac), Charmes Chambertin (Rousseau), Gevrey Chambertin Cazetiers (Rousseau), Gevrey Chambertin Aux Combottes (Dujac), Gevrey Chambertin Clos Saint Jacques (Rousseau), Griotte Chambertin (Ponsot), Mazy Chambertin (Rousseau), Ruchottes Chambertin (Georges Mugneret), Ruchottes Clos des Ruchottes (Rousseau),

Morey Saint Denis: Clos de la Roche (Dujac), Clos de la Roche (Hubert Lignier), Clos de la Roche (Ponsot), Clos de la Roche (Rousseau), Clos Saint Denis (Dujac), Clos Saint Denis (Ponost), Clos de Tart (Mommessin)

Chambolle Musigny: Bonnes Mares (Drouhin), Bonnes Mares (Dujac), Bonnes Mares (Jadot), Bonnes Mares (Roumier), Bonnes Mares (Vogüé), Chambolle Musigny Les Amoureuses (Drouhin), Chambolle Musigny Les Amoureuses (Jadot), Musigny (Drouhin), Musigny (Jadot), Musigny Blanc (Vogüé)

Vougeot: Clos Vougeot (Arnoux), Clos Vougeot (Engel), Clos Vougeot Maupertuis (AF Gros), Clos Vougeot Musigni (Grose Frère et Soeur), Clos Vougeot (Domaine Leroy)

Vosne Romanée: Échezeaux (Dujac), Grands Échezeaux (DRC), Richebourg (Grivot), Richebourg (Jean Gros), (Richebourg (Hudelot Noëllat), Richebourg (Domaine Leroy), Richebourg (Meo Camuzet), Richeborg (DRC), La Romanée (Bouchard), Romanée Saint Vivant (Jadot), Romanée Saint Vivant (DRC), La Tâche (DRC), Vosne Romanée Les Beaux Monts (Domaine Leroy), Vosne Romanée Aux Brülées (Meo Camuzet), Vosne Romanée Les Malconsorts (Hudellot-Noëllat),

Nuits Saint Georges: Nuits Saint Georges Les Boudots (Domaine Leroy), Nuits Saint Georges Les Cailles (Chevillon), Nuits Saint Georges Les Saint Georges (Gouges)

Aloxe Corton: Corton Clos des Cortons (Faiveley), Corton Pougets (Jadot)

Savigny Les Beaune: Savigny Les Beaune Narbantons (Domiane Leroy)

Beaune: Beaune Greves Vignes de l’Enfant Jesus (Bouchard)

Pommard: Pommard Clos des Epeneaux (Comte Armand), Pommard Les Rugiens (de Courcel)

Volnay: Volnay Clos de la Bousse d’Or (Pousse d’Or), Volnay Clos des Chenes (Michel Lafarge), Volnay Les Caillerets Clos des 60 Ouvrées (Pousse d’Or), Volnay Les Champans (Marquis d’Angerville), Volnay Clos des Ducs (Marquis d’Angerville)

Pommard: Pommard Les Rugiens (de Montille)

Best White Wines of the Vintage

White Wines of the Vintage
Morey Saint Denis: Morey Saint Denis Monts Luisants Blanc (Ponsot)

Pernand Vergelesses/Aloxe Corton: Corton Charlemagne (Coche Dury), Corton Charlemagne (Louis Latour)

Meursault: Meursalt Les Charmes (Lafon), Meursault Les Perrieres (Coche Dury)

Puligny Montrachet: Batard Montrachet (Pernot), Bienvenues Batard Montrachet (Domaine Leflaive), Chevalier Montrachet Les Demoiselles (Jadot), Montrachet (Bouchard), Montrachet (Jadot), Montrachet (Marquis de Laguiche/Drouhin)

Chassagne Montrachet: Batard Montrachet (Ramonet), Bienvenues Batard Montrachet (Ramonet), Montrachet (Ramonet)