Château Cheval Blanc - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 1990 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48

Wine Advocate

98 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/2009

One of my favorite Cheval Blancs, it remains to be seen if the 1998, 2000, and 2008 will live up to this offering. It is the ripest wine of the aforementioned vintages, with a complex bouquet of tobacco leaf, Christmas fruitcake, sweet black fruits, bordering on fig and plum, but no hint of overripeness, and notions of new saddle leather, mint, and incense. The gorgeously expressive aromatics are followed by a full-bodied wine revealing abundant glycerin as well as elevated alcohol, but it is not hot, and nothing is out of place. Expansive, rich, and revealing the nuances and complexity that come from bottle age, it is at its peak of maturity where it should remain for another 10-15 years. 98+

Wine Advocate

100 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe1/31/2003

This wine has overtaken its closest rival, the 1982. Dense ruby purple with only a bit of lightening at the edge, the explosive nose of black fruits and cassis intermixed with coffee, menthol, and leather is followed by an opulent, splendidly concentrated wine that is sheer nectar. With no hard edges, gorgeously integrated glycerin, tannin, acidity, and alcohol are all present in this seamless classic. The wine has been gorgeous since youth, but is now revealing more aromatic and flavor nuances into the game. This is spectacular stuff! Anticipated maturity: Now-2015. Last tasted, 12/02.

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe6/30/2001

Dark ruby red. Superripe aromas of raisins, dried plums and intense truffle. Full-bodied, chewy and layered, with lovely ripe fruit. Such beauty. Serious Cheval.--Bordeaux retrospective. Drink now. 12,000 cases made.

Wine Advocate

98 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/1997

In contrast to the 1989, the 1990 is increasingly sumptuous with each additional tasting. The wine possesses all the hallmarks of a hot, ripe year - low acidity, super-ripe, nearly over-ripe fruit, an opulent, oily texture, great sweetness of fruit, and a long, voluptuously-textured finish. In the most recent tasting, I almost mistook it for Le Pin given its showboat-like nose of coconut, toasty new oak, and gobs of smoky, blackcurranty, and cherry fruit. The wine is full-bodied, rich, and concentrated, with layers of extract, and well-concealed tannin. I am increasingly convinced that this is the most profound Cheval Blanc since the legendary 1982. Because of its fleshy, low-acid character, the wine can be drunk, but it is still youthful, with a deeper purple color than the more mature-looking 1989. It should offer exotic opulence for at least another 15-20 years. A compelling Cheval Blanc!

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe10/31/1994

Tasted 7 Times Since Bottling With Consistent Notes Will the 1990 turn out to be a replay of Cheval Blanc's glorious 1983? It appears to be the most complete Cheval produced since their historic duo of 1982 and 1983. Richer and longer in the mouth than the light-ish 1988, and significantly deeper and more complete than the 1989, the 1990 exhibits deep color than recent vintages of Cheval, as well as a profound menthol aroma intermingled with scents of truffles, mocha, toast, and sweet black fruits. This expansive, typical, exotic example of Cheval Blanc is captivating because of its opulence and rich, velvety finish. It already provides immense pleasure. An attention grabber! Anticipated maturity: now-2010.

Wine Advocate

92-93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/1992