1990 d'Yquem
By Chateau d'Yquem
1990 d'Yquem from Chateau d'Yquem, Sauternes, Bordeaux
The 1990 vintage from the legendary Chateau d'Yquem exudes an exquisite harmony that can only be described as the quintessence of Sauternes. This professed icon, nurtured under the vigilant eyes of the master vintners at Chateau d'Yquem, draws on the exceptional climatic conditions of the year to unveil its majestic narrative.
The Symphony of 1990: A Vintage to Invest In
The year 1990 bestowed upon Bordeaux a season of near perfection; warm days and cool nights, tailored by nature, forged grapes of exceptional concentration and balance in Sauternes. The yield at Chateau d'Yquem was rendered in limited quantities, but what the harvest may have lacked in volume it more than compensated for with unparalleled quality and profundity.
Coveted by investors and connoisseurs alike, the 1990 d'Yquem is a vintage that commands attention in any discerning portfolio. It brims with lavish layers of crème brûlée, apricot compote and candied citrus peel, whilst whispers of oak and a persistent mineral spine ensure its place as one of the most memorable expressions of its age.
Aged to Perfection: Tasting the Decades
Over three decades have passed since its bottling, yet the essence of the 1990 harvest continues to flourish within each bottle. Now at a poignant stage in its evolution, this wine greets the experienced palate with an opulent tapestry of flavours – a true testament to its storied terroir.
The 1990 d'Yquem articulates its complexity with extraordinary prowess. Each sip is imbued with a matured pedigree; notes of honey-drizzled figs dance alongside undertones of gingerbread and marzipan. Its admirably long finish resonates with a sublime richness, heralding a sensory journey unlike any other.
As we consider wine investments that span time's canvas with grace and stature, the 1990 d'Yquem holds a torch aloft for Bordeaux’s golden sweet wines. Few vintages capture the essence of their year as this one does – a veritable treasure trove for those privileged to experience it. The promise it whispers to those discerning investors who seek not only pleasure in taste but also wisdom in holdings is one of unrivalled poise and prestige.
Market price (USD)
$4,028.64
12x75cl
Highest score
99
POP score
173.68
Scores and tasting notes
1990: An extraordinary effort, Yquem's 1990 is a rich and fabulously superb, sweet wine. This wine also possesses lots of elegance and finesse. The wine's medium gold color is accompanied by an exceptionally sweet nose of honeyed tropical fruits, peaches, coconut, and apricots. High quality, subtle toasty oak is well-integrated. The wine is massive on the palate, with layers of intensely ripe botrytis-tinged, exceptionally sweet fruit. Surprisingly well-integrated acidity, and a seamless, full-bodied power and richness have created a wine of remarkable harmony and purity. Certainly it is one of the richest Yquems I have ever tasted, with 50-100 years of potential longevity. An awesome Yquem! Anticipated maturity: 2003-2050+.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #122 April 1999
A warm to hot vintage ideal for producing outstanding reds does not necessarily make for a great Sauternes vintage, but in the case of 1990 it did. Dry, warm winds in the autumn contributed to the level of concentration that this wine exhibits. Fortunately, a little rain in late September and early October ensured that botrytis flourished well in the end, the final factor necessary to achieve this extraordinary expression. Medium to deep golden colored, the 1990 d'Yquem opens with unabashed opulence, giving expressive notes of dried apricots, toffee, candied walnut, tree bark and sandalwood with nuances of preserved mandarin peel, lemongrass and fallen leaves. The palate is entering that stage where it still has bags of fruit and yet appears quite dry, with a lively line contributing jaw-dropping tension and finishing with epically long-lingering honey nut and earth-inspired notes. Pure. Hedonism. The multilayered intensity perhaps makes this appear a much bigger, sweeter Yquem than it is, and yet it possesses a relatively modest 12.7% alcohol and 126 grams per liter of residual sugar with 3.9 grams per liter of total acidity (H2SO4). Well into its ideal drinking window, there is no real rush to drink this beauty, as it should remain suspended at the heavenly plateau for another 25+ years.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 30 August 2019
Tasted at the Grand Cru Classe opening dinner at Haut-Brion. Still a glorious Yquem when you can find a good bottle, this one has a stunning bouquet with honey, candied orange peel and white flowers, extravagant and showy. The palate is viscous on the entry, very complex with that acidity perfectly in tandem with the mellifluous, pure, honeyed fruit. It just seems to expand in the mouth. Superb. Decadent. Tasted June 2011.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Mar 2012