1990 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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Tasting notes
Paul Avril compares this vintage to the 1961. Brownish with soft brick rim. Very meaty, leathery and a little bloody on the nose. Extremely complex in its maturity. Leathery on the palate too but with a certain amount of fruit sweetness even though there is no primary-fruit flavour. That same grainy texture as if the tannins themselves were like powdered spice. Lots of mushroom and undergrowth. Fascinating rather than hugely pleasurable. (JH)
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Dense. Fine and sweet and herby. Fine and sweet and at its apogee. A real throat-soother, this wine. Some dryness on the finish but impressively long. (JR)
From a fabulous vintage, the 1990 is one of the greatest offerings from Clos des Papes. This was the last vintage vinified with 100% stems, and the result is a full-bodied, opulent, sweet, multidimensional, expansive Chateauneuf du Pape. It has hit its plateau of maturity, where it should rest for 10-15 years. Terrific! Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173
From a fabulous vintage, the 1990 is one of the greatest offerings from Clos des Papes. This was the last vintage vinified with 100% stems, and the result is a full-bodied, opulent, sweet, multidimensional, expansive Chateauneuf du Pape. It has hit its plateau of maturity, where it should rest for 10-15 years. Terrific! eRobertParker.com.January, 2003
About the producer
Few estates have shaped the identity of Châteauneuf-du-Pape quite like Clos des Papes. For generations, the Avril family has remained devoted to a single benchmark cuvée, crafted from more than twenty vineyard parcels to express the appellation at its finest.