1990 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermiatge A very impressive wine, no doubt about it. This is intensely fruit-forward, sitting readily on the black side of the spectrum as opposed to red. Massively scaled with an intensity that the older wines just didn’t have, this has roundness and fullness on the palate that is very impressive. Next to 1991 however, this felt a little brutish and clumsy, but that’s really nitpicking here. Ample acidity, especially for a wine with this much intensity of fruit. Critical Acclaim 98 Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate Also mature, yet with another level of texture and richness, the 1990 Hermitage is a profound effort thats 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. 99 Jeb Dunnuck The 1990 Hermitage is fully mature yet holding beautifully. Perfumed notes of sweet cassis and blackberry fruits, rose hips, smoked meats, and exotic spices all flow to a full-bodied, layered, seamless, flawlessly balanced Hermitage that glides over the palate with no sensation of weight or heaviness. With resolved tannins, beautiful purity, and a great finish, its unquestionably ready to go, yet should hold nicely for another 8-10 years. 98 Wine Spectator This still very rich and alluring, with a core of dark roasted plum, black currant and blackberry fruit that still has an unctuous feel. There are additional floral and black tea notes, flashes of bergamot and clove, and a lingering tarry edge that supports the finish. Still throws a long shadow. 97 Vinous Chaves 1990 Hermitage is simply magnificent from the moment it is poured. A dark, translucent ruby, 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, 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.
