Magnum Château Haut Bailly - Pessac-Léognan 1990

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

par Neal Martin le 23/07/2009

Much more representative than the bottle encountered nine years ago! The 1990 displays a more traditional Bordeaux nose: smoky black fruits, ox-blood, leather, a touch of bay leaf – nice definition with a leaning towards the Right Bank. Certainly more open-knit that the 1989. The palate is medium-bodied, more languid compared to the 1989, smoky and truffly, good acidity and a vibrant spicy finish. For a 1990 this has retained a commendable degree of freshness and vitality. Very fine. Drink now-2015. Tasted March 2009.

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

par James Suckling le 31/08/2000

Serious wine. Dark ruby color, with blackberry, earth and truffle character. Full-bodied and very polished, with fine tannins and a long, rich, fruity finish. I underrated this years ago.--1990 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2004. 11,000 cases made.

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

par Robert Parker le 28/02/1997

Haut-Bailly is often such a restrained, gentle, subtle wine that it can get lost in a blind tasting, particularly when served side by side with more powerful Bordeaux. That was not the case in my recent tasting, as both the 1989 and 1990 vintages performed well. The 1990 Haut-Bailly, which I have always preferred slightly to the 1989, was once again the stronger vintage. It displays a richer, more saturated dark ruby color, followed by a textbook, smoky tobacco, blackberry, and cassis-scented bouquet. Ripe, supple-textured, and generous, with no hard edges, this is a stylish, well-crafted wine with all the component parts in balance. Drink this medium-bodied effort over the next 15 years.

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

par Robert Parker le 28/02/1993

Impressively deep ruby in color, with a big, authoritative nose of super-ripe fruit and subtle new oak, the medium-bodied, stylish 1990 offers plenty of glycerin and ripeness, as well as a sense of balance and finesse. It looks to be another classy Haut-Bailly that will surpass their fine 1983 and 1989. Anticipated maturity: 1995-2005.

Wine Advocate

87-90 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/06/1992

Impressively deep ruby in color, with a big, forceful nose of super-ripe fruit and subtle new oak, this medium-bodied, graceful wine offers plenty of glycerin and ripeness, as well as a sense of balance and finesse. It looks to be another classy Haut-Bailly that should rival their fine 1983 and 1989. Anticipated maturity: 1995-2005.