Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1990

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The 1990 appears to be a synthesis in style of the backward, tannic 1988 and more forward, softer 1989. The nose is not yet as seductive as the 1989's, but the wine exhibits a deeper, thicker, ruby/purple color, and cuts a fuller, more complete profile on the palate. It not only rivals the seductiveness of the 1989, but it is also a far richer and more tannic wine. Although it needs at least a decade of cellaring, it should last for 30 or more years. An impressive wine, the 1990 Lafite is this estate's finest wine since the 1982 and 1986. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2025. Last tasted, 6/93.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Interestingly, a bottle of 1990 Lafite Rothschild I pulled from my cellar for a video blog on my web site was still buttoned down, tight, and even with extended decanting was not showing as much as I would have hoped. However, a bottle tasted, of all places, in Seoul, Korea in February, was only a few points short of perfection. That amazing performance motivated me to pull another bottle out of my cellar and follow it over the course of two days. Sure enough, by the second day the wine was roaring from the glass. The 1990 Lafite has turned out far better than my early assessment. While it still possesses some firmness, and performs like a late adolescent in terms of its evolution, it boasts gorgeous aromas of cedar, tobacco leaf, cassis, and lead pencil shavings. The explosive aromas are followed by a fleshy, full-bodied wine that should hit its peak in 5-8 years, and last for 25-30 more. Release price:($1400.00/case)

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The 1990 appears to be a synthesis in style of the backward, tannic 1988 and more forward, softer 1989. The nose is not yet as seductive as the 1989's, but the wine exhibits a deeper, thicker, ruby/purple color, and cuts a fuller, more complete profile on the palate. It not only rivals the seductiveness of the 1989, but it is also a far richer and more tannic wine. Although it needs at least a decade of cellaring, it should last for 30 or more years. An impressive wine, the 1990 Lafite is this estate's finest wine sine the 1982 and 1986. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2025.

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Medium garnet-brick colour. Earthy, Provence herb seasoned aromas of warm cassis and stewed plum with nuances of smoked duck, cracked black pepper and dark soy. The palate leads with structure – medium to high, finely grained tannins and medium to high acid. Plenty of complex fruit to flesh out the mid-palate with a long, layered finish. Drink now – 2030+. Tasted February 2009.

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the IMW Lafite seminar in London. The 1990 Lafite has a very typical Left Bank ’90 nose with luscious brambly red fruit, kirsch, singed leather and truffle. For me, especially compared to the 1989, the aromatics are comparatively diffuse and certainly more decayed. The palate is medium-bodied with a soft, quite fleshy entry with strong savoury, meaty flavours. The ’90 certainly has good weight, but there is something feral and animally here whilst there is a “furry” texture on the “mealy” finish. This is a highly enjoyable Lafite although one that I would not cellar long-term. Tasted February 2012.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted three times: powerful and decadent after ten years but then at the Farr horizontal in October 2004 it was found a little wanting, with a reticent, woody nose and a touch of greenness of the palate (possibly due to the 17% addition of vin de presse?) Then at the FWE Lafite vertical in December 2005. A deep garnet hue with deep brick rim. A ripe nose of black tea, raisin, mulberry with fine delineation and restraint. Typically exotic in style. The palate is gorgeous: very ripe, black cherries, plum and prune. Very good acidity cutting through that lush, opulent fruit. A vivacious, ravishing Lafite but it lacks the persistency on the finish.

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

As I suspected, the 1989 and 1990 vintages of Lafite-Rothschild have gone dormant. Both wines were among the more closed, backward examples in my blind tasting. The 1990 is riper, richer, and more textured, but mouthsearing tannin and a closed personality make it hard to fully assess. The wine possesses excellent richness, a hint of the unmistakable Lafite perfume of minerals, cedar, lead pencil, and red fruits, medium to full body, moderate weight, admirable richness and overall balance, and a tough finish. Give it a decade of cellaring to shed some tannin and evolve; it may be a 40-50-year Lafite. As outstanding as I believe it will ultimately turn out to be, I do not think the 1990 Lafite will ever match the sheer class, quality, and complexity of the 1988, 1986, and 1982. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2035.

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Tasted 3 Times Since Bottling With Consistent Notes The 1990 Lafite appears to be a synthesis in style of the backward, tannic 1988 and more forward, softer 1989. The nose is not yet as seductive as the 1989's, but the wine exhibits a deeper, thicker, ruby/purple color, and cuts a fuller, more complete profile on the palate. It not only rivals the seductiveness of the 1989, but it is also a far richer and more tannic wine. Although it needs at least a decade of cellaring, it should last for 30 or more years. An impressive wine, the 1990 Lafite is this estate's finest wine sine the 1982 and 1986. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2025.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

If there was ever a case to be made for a wine that appears to be a synthesis in style of Lafite's backward, tannic 1988 and more forward, softer 1989, it is the 1990 offering. The nose is not yet as seductive as the 1989's, but the wine exhibits a deeper, thicker, ruby/purple color, and cuts a fuller, more complete profile on the palate. It not only rivals the seductiveness of the 1989, but it is also a far richer wine. Although it needs at least a decade of cellaring, it should last for 30 or more years. An impressive wine, the 1990 Lafite is this estate's finest wine since the 1982 and 1986. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2025.

vinous90

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

This bottle of 1990 Lafite-Rothschild replicates the one poured at the château several months earlier. The bouquet offers black fruit, a little dustiness, leather and light marine notes, but again, it never slips into fifth gear. It just lacks vivacity. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly hard tannin, modest fruit concentration and a monochromatic finish that feels suppressed by that summer’s warmth. To reiterate, there are Super Seconds that clearly outperform this First Growth in 1990. Tasted at Noble Rot's “Xmas” dinner.

vinous90

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 1990 Lafite-Rothschild is a wine that often felt a little green around 15 years ago and then became good for a brief period. I was less impressed when Charles Chevalier showed several vintages in London some years ago. This bottle reinforces my opinion that this is a second-rate Lafite in a first-rate vintage. Quite youthful in color, it has a modest nose of blackberry, mulberry, a distant tang of seaweed and leather. It lacks the vivid aromatic color of the 2000 by direct comparison. The palate is medium-bodied with robust, slightly hard tannins that are not quite in sync with the fruit. Like previous bottles, I find this rustic and feral towards the finish, as if the warmth of that summer directs the wine rather than terroir. Lafite is an enjoyable 1990, but it is not in the same class as 1990 Lynch Bages or 1990 Pichon Baron. Tasted at the Lafite-Rothschild dinner at Amuse Bouche in Hong Kong and then blind at the Lafite-Rothschild 150th anniversary dinner at the property.

vinous96

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Saturated deep red. Shoe polish, minerals and cassis on the nose, with a hint of toasty oak. Intensely flavored, vibrant fruit shows great middle-palate fullness for a young Lafite. Very long, multidimensional finish of great subtlety. Has the acidity and tannic underpinning for long life. An outstanding, classic Lafite; claret for the millennium. Along with Latour, an early candidate for Medoc of the vintage.