The 1990 de Fieuzal Blanc is deep burnished golden in hue, Sauternes-like in colour. It has an unexpectedly Burgundy-like bouquet with scents of dried honey, brioche, dandelion and melted butter, quite intoxicating. The palate is beautifully balanced with a fine bead of acidity considering the warmth of that summer. It is extremely pure and towards the finish, that Burgundy theme reappears, since I cannot help thinking of anything but a fine Corton-Charlemagne. This is a captivating, quite entrancing mature de Fieuzal.

This wine has improved immensely in the bottle, making my earlier notes look particularly stingy. The color is a healthy dark ruby/purple. Aromatically, the wine has opened considerably, revealing plenty of cranberry, black cherry, and cassis fruit. There are also notes of lavish new oak, earth, and cedar in the moderately intense bouquet. The wine is medium-bodied, with sweet fruit, gobs of glycerin (a hallmark of many 1990s), and soft tannin. It has fleshed out considerably, with the tannin becoming better integrated. It is still a youthful, promising wine. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2012. Last tasted 8/97