Also mature, yet with another level of texture and richness, the 1990 Hermitage is a profound effort that’s drinking perfectly. Voluptuous, yet classy and still refined, with awesome cassis and blackberry fruit, flowers, rose petal and hints of rendered bacon fat, it is full-bodied, textured and layered on the palate, with no hard edges and killer length on the finish. This beauty makes lights go off in my head, and as with the ’91, I’d drink bottles over the coming 4-5 years or so. Drink 2014-2019.
98 points – Jeb Dunnuck (eRobertParker.com, Aug 2014)

The 1990 is spectacular. 1990 is the Hermitage appellation's greatest vintage since 1978, and maybe since 1961. I have been tasting Chave's Hermitage since the great 1978 vintage, and the black coloured 1990 is unquestionably the most massive and concentrated wine he has yet produced. Perhaps the real difference between it and the splendid 1989 is that the 1990 exhibits a more roasted character to its nose, as well as a bit of more tannin and concentration in the mouth. Except for that, they are both mind-boggling, monumental bottles of red Hermitage. The 1990, which offers huge aromas of tar, roasted cassis fruit, and hickory, as well as astonishing concentration, will not be interesting to drink young. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2040.
99 points – Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #140, April 2002)

Also mature, yet with another level of texture and richness, the 1990 Hermitage is a profound effort that’s drinking perfectly. Voluptuous, yet classy and still refined, with awesome cassis and blackberry fruit, flowers, rose petal and hints of rendered bacon fat, it is full-bodied, textured and layered on the palate, with no hard edges and killer length on the finish. This beauty makes lights go off in my head, and as with the ’91, I’d drink bottles over the coming 4-5 years or so. Located in the tiny village of Mauves, just south of Hermitage, lies one of the true bastilles of traditionally made wines, and there are few vinous experiences that surpass getting to taste through the different terroirs of Hermitage and Saint Joseph in Chave’s cellar. Founded in 1481, Chave has seen a long succession of generations, with Gerard Chave, who was born in 1935, slowly beginning to hand over the reins to his brilliant son, Jean-Louis (born in 1968), in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Today, the estate stays firmly planted in tradition, yet is far from resting on its laurels or reputation, completing work on a new cellar (just across the street from their existing cellar and connected via a tunnel) in 2014, and working hard on a number of new vineyard sites. While this new cellar includes a state-of-the-art lab, Jean-Louis was quick to point out, “you don’t need a lab to make great wine.” In addition, and along with the help of Jean-Louis’ wife, Erin Cannon-Chave, they’ve continued to grow their negociant label, Chave Selection, which offers fabulous bang-for-the-buck and includes both Northern and Southern Rhones. While Jean-Louis has a professor-like level of expertise with regards to Hermitage, today his passion is firmly directed at the steep slopes on the western side of the Rhone River, in the appellation of Saint Joseph. He has numerous new vineyards coming on-line, and while everything is currently blended into his estate Saint-Joseph, each of the individual terroirs are incredibly unique, and I’m sure will be bottled on their own sometime in the future. With more and more of Hermitage going to larger corporations these days, it’s inspiring to see this small, family owned estate still sitting near the top of the hierarchy. Jean-Louis is still young (and has a young son who takes after him, and a daredevil daughter who takes after Erin), so the future is very bright at this estate! Looking specifically at their Hermitage, the Chaves vinify each of their individual terroirs separately, and the components are all aged in small barrels before blending and bottling without being filtered. As is the norm in Hermitage, everything is completely destemmed, and the percentage of new oak is kept to a minimum, falling in the 20-30% range. The style here is beautifully transparent, with the wines always showing the vintage characteristics clearly (which Jean-Louis breaks into a “Granite” year, or a “Sun” year). In addition, when tasted as individual components, each plot’s characteristics always shine through. While the wines have the balance and purity to dish out plenty of pleasure in their youth, they age beautifully, with Jean-Louis recommending at least 15 years of cellaring for most vintages. Importer: Langdon-Shiverick, Los Angeles, CA; tel. (213) 483-5900

Chave’s 1990 Hermitage is simply magnificent from the moment it is poured. A dark, translucent ruby, the 1990 hits the palate with a rush of bold red-fleshed fruits. Hints of herb, smoke, cedar, dried flowers, tobacco and leather open up with time in the glass, but above all else, the 1990 is superbly polished and silky, with exceptional balance and an alluring, sensual personality that makes it nearly impossible to put the glass down. This is an especially fine bottle of the 1990 and a real thrill to drink. It simply does not get too much better than this. Readers lucky enough to own well-stored bottles can look forward to another 15-20 years of pure pleasure.

The nose on this bottle is more subdued than I remember. Dark broody wild strawberry, raspberry and a touch of liquorice, white pepper sprinkled on top but it does not sprint out of the block. The palate is powerful and supple on the entry, fresh and succulent with great concentration, although it does not have the dimension not of ambitious of the La Chapelle 1990 tasted alongside. Give this a few more years to demonstrate exactly what it can do. Tasted May 2011.

Ruby-red. Sauvage yet extremely youthful aromas of dark berries, leather, minerals and spices; some high tones quickly dissipated with aeration. Huge, thick, extravagantly rich Hermitage; harmonious even if it still closed in the middle. Extremely unevolved dark berry flavors and a deep core of spice are complicated by notes of wild game and roasted plum. Extraordinary combination of power and finesse. Finishes with explosive length and big, thoroughly ripe tannins.

1990 was the perfect vintage in the Rhône Valley with both quantity and exceptional quality. Pale and browning. Lovely, if very mature, nose. A real treat to taste a wine with this much bottle age. There’s undergrowth and polished wood and walnuts and just a touch of cigar box. Tannins are resolved and fine and not yet dry but I think this should be drunk soonish. Freshness is all on the long finish. A little longer and it may be drying out. (JH)

Full bottle 1,291 g. Healthy transparent ruby with a pale rim. Initially rather stodgier and less ethereal on the nose than the Chapoutier 1990 and 1991 Monier de la Sizeranne. Still quite dry and savoury with more tannin in evidence than in the Chapoutiers. Quite marked tannin still and not that much aroma yet, though this may build in the decanter. No sediment! (JR)

Absolutely mind-boggling juice! This is one of the Holy FK wines with everything you could hope for in your glass. The nose, with its display of smoke, coffee beans, pepper, strawberry, leafy herbs, and cherries lets you know you are in for a ride. And the ride kicks into high gear once the wine hits your palate with its non-stop layers of sweet, ripe, elegant, regal, and unrestrained red fruits. The silky, powerful, seamless finish is effortless to drink. Be careful with this, else it will be gone before you kow it! Drink from 2023-2040. Tasted 2023