1990 Romanee-St-Vivant from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Burgundy, France

The 1990 vintage in Burgundy proved to be a climactic wonder, yielding wines of both profound complexity and splendid character. Of these, the 1990 Romanee-St-Vivant from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti emerges as a shining example of what makes this vintage unique. Tasked with evaluating its investment potential, I revisited this legendary expression, diving deep into the sensory depths that have captivated collectors for over three decades.

A Confluence of Elegance and Power

The 1990 growing season presented a felicitous confluence of sunny days and timely rain, resulting in opulent fruit without forsaking structure. These climatic graces have bestowed the 1990 Romanee-St-Vivant with a resplendency that resonates in every glass poured. For afficionados of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti's oeuvre, this harvest is memorable for its density and intensity seamlessly wedded to silk-like finesse—a harmony that only the most fastidious winemaking can achieve.

The Epitome of Vinous Investment

Upon its release, 1990 Romanee-St-Vivant was met with exuberant acclaim, yet it is the decades of careful cellaring that have elevated it into the pantheon of collectable wines. Time has been a gracious custodian, lending tertiary notes of earthiness and fine leather to the bright red fruit core, intimating its evolution without diminishing its original lustre. The crescendo of flavours—startling cherry, ethereal violet whispers, and an elegant echo of spices—culminates in a prodigious length that further cements its stature as one of the most investable vintages from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti.

In conclusion, aficionados and investors will find the 1990 Romanee-St-Vivant epitomises the serendipitous marriage between vintage condition and winemaker’s art—an alignment so rare as to elevate this vintage to an illustrious status amongst Burgundian treasures. It remains vividly etched on my palate as a testament to the enduring legacy of its terroir and the venerable hands that shaped it. For those with foresight in fine wine investment, this vintage resides at an apex where pleasure and prudence coalesce effortlessly.