1990 Leoville Las Cases
By Chateau Leoville Las Cases
1990 Leoville Las Cases from Chateau Leoville Las Cases, St-Julien, Bordeaux
In the illustrious pantheon of Bordeaux vintages, the 1990 Leoville Las Cases from Chateau Leoville Las Cases stands as a testament to the sublime alchemy of nature’s benevolence and human artistry. One has only to delve into the layered complexity of this vintage to understand why it occupies a singular pedestal in the investment firmament. In the regal appellation of St-Julien, which is synonymous with wines of both power and elegance, the 1990 offering encapsulates these qualities with remarkable aplomb.
A Vintage Crowned by Nature
The year 1990 was marked by a series of climatic serendipities that shaped its grapes. A mild winter was succeeded by a timely spring, coaxing early bud-break and flowering. The ideal balance of heat and rain during the summer ensured an optimal maturation of the fruit, culminating in a harvest that was both generous in quantity and exceptional in quality.
Investors will note that the perfect ripeness of Cabernet Sauvignon, the estate’s heart, bestowed upon the 1990 Leoville Las Cases a structure and depth that are almost mythological in stature. The vintage excels in its regal tannins, which have mellowed exquisitely over decades, and a dark fruit profile that is now adorned with whispers of cigar box and truffles.
The Exemplar of Investment Potential
Accompanying its profound complexity is an equally impressive longevity. Judicious cellaring continues to reward enthusiasts with a wine that unfurls new facets with each passing year. In the realm of fine wine investment, rarity marries prestige in the 1990 Leoville Las Cases; a vintage close to peaking yet promising rewarding returns for portfolios centered around iconic Bordeaux classics.
In summary, the 1990 Leoville Las Cases from Chateau Leoville Las Cases is an emblematic treasure from St-Julien. For those captivated by Bordeaux's rich tapestry and seeking wines with storied provenance for investment purposes, this unparalleled vintage offers not only a transcendent drinking experience but also holds considerable allure as a steadfast addition to any discerning collection.
Market price (USD)
$4,610.00
12x75cl
Highest score
96
POP score
236.25
Scores and tasting notes
As one might expect, this is a brilliant wine, but it remains shockingly young, even for the fast evolving 1990s. Its deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by a classic, nearly restrained set of aromatics that includes notions of sweet black cherries, black currants, lead pencil, and wet stones. In the mouth, it is full-bodied, and while technically low in acidity, there is a freshness, delineation, and classicism in this full-throttle, rich, concentrated, impeccable 1990. While still youthful, it is easy to appreciate despite its substantial tannins. It is not quite as backward as the 1990 Lafite Rothschild or 1990 Latour. Anticipated maturity: now-2035. Release price: ($500.00/case)
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 29 June 2009
The Chateau Leoville Las-Cases 1990 continues to be a monumental wine, one of the finest of that era. Tasted blind at a private dinner, it retains that misleading, Pauillac bouquet with great intensity, the secondary aromas swarming…rolled tobacco, undergrowth, graphite and Provencal herbs. The palate is beautifully balanced with melted, autumnal, tertiary fruit and great weight towards the persistent finish. It has a dimension and a breeding that puts the 1989 in the shade. Wonderful. Tasted April 2012.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Jul 2012