La Mission Haut Brion 1990 (750ML)

99 WA / 97 VM / 96 WCI / 18.5 JR

Reminiscing over the 1989 and 1990 vintages, which I have followed from birth, there always seemed to be a dramatic difference in quality. Not that the 1990 was not a top wine, but in its infancy, I never thought it would come close to being as riveting and magnetic as its older sibling, the 1989. However, it has proven to be nearly as prodigious. One of the hottest years in Bordeaux, 1990, a vintage of enormous yields, even dwarfing yields in 1985 and 1982, produced a fabulously open-knit, seemingly fast track La Mission that, at age 22, shows no signs of fading or losing its grip. The color is slightly more mature and evolved than the 1989, exhibiting a lighter rim and a less dark blue/ruby/purple hue. Classic La Mission-Haut-Brion aromatics of camphor, licorice, scorched earth, hot bricks, barbecue, cassis, blueberry and kirsch are well displayed. Broad, expansive, velvety-textured and opulent with high glycerin and perhaps slightly higher alcohol I have the statistics to verify that), the 1990 is as delicious and open-knit as the 1989...Most 1990s have been quick to reach full maturity, and as brilliant as they can be, they need to be monitored carefully by owners. Currently in late adolescence, but close to full maturity, the 1990 should hold in a cold cellar for another 15-20 years. However, it is a fabulous wine to inspect, taste and consume, so why wait? - Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate

The 1990 La Mission Haut-Brion was always going to lie in the shadow of the previous vintage, but let's be clear: this is a magnificent, audacious follow-up. The nose might not be blessed with the Swiss-watch precision of the 1989, yet how can you possibly resist the heart-warming scents of roasted chestnuts and morels that suffuse the red berry fruit? The palate sports a slight gaminess and, as I noted in previous tasting notes, there is a Musigny-like personality toward the rounded, slightly earthy finish. Few La Missions have delivered such untrammeled drinkability. Tasted at the La Mission Haut Brion dinner at Amuse Bouche in Hong Kong.-Neal Martin, Vinous Media

Drinking in its prime time window, the wine is full-bodied, concentrated, smoky and packed with notes of campfire embers, tar, tobacco leaf, cherries and red currants. Refined, earthy, complex and long, with a smoky, tobacco leaf, herb, earth and red fruit finish, this is ready to go. 96 Points-Jeff Leve, Wine Cellar Insider

Hint of orange at the rim though this wine looks much more youthful than most 1990 Bordeaux. Very winning, opulent, fleshy nose with a hint of raw meat decadence. Sweet start, utterly captivating, and (just) sufficient freshness to stop this being too dusty and ripe. There is a slight dustiness on the end of the palate but this is pure pleasure at the moment. Sweet all the way through. Hint of milk chocolate powder.-Jancis Robinson