Tasting Notes and Scores
1990: In terms of the brilliant complexity and nobility of the aromatics, scorched earth, black currants, plums, charcoal, cedar, and spices, the 1990 offers an aromatic explosion that is unparalleled. It is always fascinating to taste this wine next to the 1989, which is a monumental effort, but much more backward and denser, without the aromatic complexity of the 1990. The 1990 put on weight after bottling, and is currently rich, full-bodied, opulent, even flamboyant by Haut Brion’s standards. It is an incredible expression of a noble terroir in a top vintage. While it has been fully mature for a number of years, it does not reveal any bricking at the edge, and I suspect it will stay at this level for another 10-15 years ... but why wait? It is irresistible now.
Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #183, Jun 2009)
Wine Advocate
Power and elegance, with wave after wave of rich, supple, sensuous, tobacco-stained red fruits, cigar wrapper, ash, and spice. Intensely concentrated, perfectly balanced, deep, long and lingering, this is what great wine is all about. Just entering its prime-time window, it is going to deliver the good for at least another 2-3 decades with ease. Tasted April 2022
Jeff Leve
Quality 965 | Brand 998 | Economics 958 |
buzz brand
Quality: Predicted life of 27 years, one of the longest drinking windows in its peer group for the 1990 vintage, which averages 17 years
Brand: Strong restaurant presence, featuring on 50 of the world's top wine lists, including Chez Bruce
Economics: More traded at auction than its peers, its top 5 vintages having seen 3,255 75cl equivalent bottles traded in the past year
Production: Higher production than its peer group average of 92,455 bottles
- www.wine-lister.com June 2017
Wine Lister
Very close to Margaux in terms of its level of success, although with a more exuberant feel, touches of cinnamon, smoke, truffles and meat. Overall it is more opulent and rounded in the mouth than the other four firsts at this point and a seriously impressive glass of wine. This was an early harvest, and is clearly ready to drink with an exotic charm, but there is still a softly brushed tannic frame, and plenty of life ahead. A great period at Haut-Brion, with Jean Bernard Delmas at the helm of the winemaking. Drinking Window: 2021 - 2040
Tasted by: Jane Anson (at Bordeaux, 09 Feb 2021)
Part of Anson: How the 1990 Bordeaux first growths taste now
Decanter
The 1990 Haut-Brion is exotic, flamboyant and super-expressive. Dark fruit, leather, licorice and grilled herbs are all amped up. Although the 1990 doesn’t quite have the aromatic depth and intensity of the very finest years, it is nevertheless a stunning, gorgeous wine of the highest level. Feb 2020
Antonio Galloni
Served blind by Philippe Schofield at Chez Bruce, it is probably a pity that it had to follow the behemoths that are Haut-Brion and La Mission ’89. It patently had a light, leafier bouquet compared to the ’89 with a surprising level of rusticity, but finely tuned with an attractive ferrous accent. The palate is medium-bodied with fine acidity, fleshy in texture and lacking a little power. I wonder whether the low proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon (31%) is beginning to tell? Still a lovely wine though. Drink now-2025. Tasted July 2010.
Neal Martin
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