1996 Montrachet
By Domaine de la Romanee-Conti
A Connoisseur’s Chronicle: 1990 Nuits St Georges Aux Lavieres from Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair
The sought-after 1990 Nuits St Georges Aux Lavieres from Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair has become synonymous with sophistication and distinction among enthusiasts and investors alike. As the wheel of time has spun, this vintage has ascended to a venerable position in the pantheon of fine Burgundian wines.
Probing the Palette: The 1990 Vintage Narrative
In an era where Burgundy was already claiming its stratospheric reputation, the 1990 vintage emerged as one of those splendid starbursts to grace the wine firmament. The year’s benevolence in weather pattered an exquisite tapestry of optimal ripening conditions, rendering grapes that were both robust in flavour and intricate in nuance.
The 1990 Nuits St Georges Aux Lavieres ensnares the senses, unfurling layers of matured cherry and currant notes atop an earthy bedrock. A faint whisper of truffle complements its robustly refined tannins. This wine is not merely tasted; it is experienced, unfurling a narrative woven through with precision, clarity, and the passage of time.
Investment Insight: Seasoned Sophistication
For the astute investor, the 1990 Nuits St Georges Aux Lavieres from Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair presents an investment as tangible as it is tantalising. A seasoned wine such as this not only embodies exquisite craftsmanship but also holds the provenance that elevates a collection – a testament to Burgundy's timeless allure.
This enticing nectar has now reached a plateau of maturity, allowing its complexities to be fully savoured. Yet, for those with perspicacity to peer beyond the present pour, it reveals potential for further graceful ageing. Such longevity is indeed one of the hallmarks that aligns closely with investment merit, reflecting both stability and potential escalation in value.
In sum, the 1990 Nuits St Georges Aux Lavieres stands as a beacon of viticultural virtuosity, one which orchestrates an ensemble of depth and refinement rarely paralleled. As I encapsulate my sentiments on this liquid harmony, I am reminded that each bottle is not merely an asset but a repository of history – one whose story is ripe to be treasured by both connoisseur and investor alike.
Market price (USD)
$104,420.00
12x75cl
Highest score
96
POP score
5345.63
Scores and tasting notes
The Domaine de la Romanee-Conti's light-colored 1996 Montrachet is spectacular (it was originally rated 95-98 in The Wine Advocate's Issue #115). Its profound, rich, and embracing nose reveals toasted minerals, white fruits, and hints of lemons. On the palate it displays enormous complexity, a broad, layered core of tropical fruits (mostly mangoes), liquid minerals, and stones. It is terribly refined, bracing, satin textured, medium-to-full-bodied, and mind-blowingly long in the finish. Its tightly wound core of fruit will require extended cellaring to blossom and reveal all of what this glorious wine has to offer. Projected maturity: 2004-2016. Importer: Wilson Daniels, St. Helena, CA; (707) 963-9661.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 20 June 1999