6 bottles per lot
Details
Château Latour--Vintage 1990
Pauillac, 1er cru classé. Château-bottled
Not in original wooden cases
Vintage note: An excellent vintage with similar attributes to the '89 but certainly not an identical twin.
First the growing conditions. January to March unusually warm and sunny, up to 25 degrees on 24 February, advancing vegetation. Beneficial rain in April followed by a very hot, dry and sunny May. The flowering was uneven and prolonged, satisfactory for the Merlots, less for Cabernet Sauvignon. July was excessively hot, up to just short of 39 degrees on the 21st. This heat had a reverse effect, hindering maturation by impeding the rising of the sap. August was warm and dry. Unlike 1989 this did not deter the ripening, as a well-timed beneficial sprinkling in rain in September enabled the grapes to be harvested from around mid-month. In general, the Merlots were in remarkable condition with some of the highest levels of sugar ever recorded. The later ripening Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were small and thick, with a concentration of juice and colouring matter. *****. Michael Broadbent, Vintage Wine
Tasting note: Fewer notes. Tasted at the château the same day as Lafite, the contrast was marked. Not an attractive and easy style the April after the vintage. Big and black; severe; teeth-blackening; very tannic. 'Magnificent' in 1993. At the MW tasting of '90s a year later, its nose had developed well; on the palate surprisingly sweet. In 1996, however, at the Eigensatz marathon, I noted its opaqueness and intensity; its full body and its raw tannin and acid finish. Yet later that year, tasted also blind, at a Rodenstock dinner alongside the other first growths, its bouquet I noted as earthy and spicy, opening up beautifully. Despite its tannin it had a delicious flavour, by no means the mammoth I would have expected. Most recently also alongside
all the first growths, I noted it as having wonderful depth and resonance; a classic, cedary Pauillac nose; some ripe sweetness, full flavoured, leathery, tannic texture, good length and dry finish. Last noted at the Penning-Rowsell's, June 2000 ****(*) Not a long-lasting '28, but a long haul, well balanced wine, say 2010-2030. Michael Broadbent, Vintage Wine
6 bottles per lot
Pauillac, 1er cru classé. Château-bottled
Not in original wooden cases
Vintage note: An excellent vintage with similar attributes to the '89 but certainly not an identical twin.
First the growing conditions. January to March unusually warm and sunny, up to 25 degrees on 24 February, advancing vegetation. Beneficial rain in April followed by a very hot, dry and sunny May. The flowering was uneven and prolonged, satisfactory for the Merlots, less for Cabernet Sauvignon. July was excessively hot, up to just short of 39 degrees on the 21st. This heat had a reverse effect, hindering maturation by impeding the rising of the sap. August was warm and dry. Unlike 1989 this did not deter the ripening, as a well-timed beneficial sprinkling in rain in September enabled the grapes to be harvested from around mid-month. In general, the Merlots were in remarkable condition with some of the highest levels of sugar ever recorded. The later ripening Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were small and thick, with a concentration of juice and colouring matter. *****. Michael Broadbent, Vintage Wine
Tasting note: Fewer notes. Tasted at the château the same day as Lafite, the contrast was marked. Not an attractive and easy style the April after the vintage. Big and black; severe; teeth-blackening; very tannic. 'Magnificent' in 1993. At the MW tasting of '90s a year later, its nose had developed well; on the palate surprisingly sweet. In 1996, however, at the Eigensatz marathon, I noted its opaqueness and intensity; its full body and its raw tannin and acid finish. Yet later that year, tasted also blind, at a Rodenstock dinner alongside the other first growths, its bouquet I noted as earthy and spicy, opening up beautifully. Despite its tannin it had a delicious flavour, by no means the mammoth I would have expected. Most recently also alongside
all the first growths, I noted it as having wonderful depth and resonance; a classic, cedary Pauillac nose; some ripe sweetness, full flavoured, leathery, tannic texture, good length and dry finish. Last noted at the Penning-Rowsell's, June 2000 ****(*) Not a long-lasting '28, but a long haul, well balanced wine, say 2010-2030. Michael Broadbent, Vintage Wine
6 bottles per lot
Special notice
(Wine sales only). Christie's charges a Buyer's premium calculated at 17.850% of the hammer price for each lot with a value up to €150,000. If the hammer price of a lot exceeds €150,000 then the premium for the lot is calculated at 17.850% of the first €150,000 plus 11.9% of any amount in excess of €150,000. Buyer's Premium is calculated on this basis for each lot individually.