Wine Advisor
Palmer 1990
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1990 is an attractively sweet and ripe wine, with some of the opulence of the magnificent 1989. The finish is shorter, but the wine is rich, with a juicy, succulent, medium-weight, fragrant style. Already delicious, it should age well for 10-15 years. Last tasted, 3/93.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
This was the finest bottle of the 1990 Palmer I have yet tasted, and it appears I slightly underrated it in earlier reviews. A complex bouquet of earth, blue and black fruits, licorice, incense, and spice box is followed by a round, silky, voluptuous wine that falls just short of achieving the depth and richness found in such recent vintages as 2000, 2005, 2006, and 2008. A very strong, fully mature effort, its balance, purity, depth, and texture suggest it will provide plenty of pleasure over the next 10-12 years. Release price: ($1100.00/case)
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1990 is an attractively sweet and ripe wine, with some of the opulence of the magnificent 1989. The finish is shorter, but the wine is rich, with a juicy, succulent, medium-weight, fragrant style. Already delicious, it should age well for 10-15 years.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Most disappointing wine of the flight - it looked so forward and mature with its distinct tawny rim. The nose is quite reticent but eventually roasted herbs, walnuts and truffle emerge. The palate is warm, low acidity and diffuse. Notes of cigar box and spice with a toffee finish. A nice wine, but not as good as it should have been. Drink now. Tasted October 2004.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
A moderate garnet hue. The nose is lacking some fruit concentration with decayed autumn leaves, tobacco and cedar. Very classic in style. The palate is medium-bodied, balanced but lacking some complexity. Supple mouth-feel with notes of black tea, autumn leaves and blackberry. Just rather enervated and bereft of vigour and “effort”. A lackadaisical wine? Disappointing considering the vintage. Tasted October 2006. Drinking now.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1990 Palmer has put on some weight since I first tasted it. Typical of Palmer in hot, dry vintages, the wine is disjointed and expansive, with sweet fruit, but lacking the focus and inner-core of extraction found in this estate's great vintages. The 1990 possesses low acidity and velvety tannin, but not the depth or length of the 1989. It can be drunk now as well as over the next 15 years. For what it's worth, it took three bottles of the 1990 Palmer to find one that was not corked.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
This wine has become more delineated after a period where it seemed diffuse and disjointed. Dark plum/garnet with a sweet nose of baked fruit, spice box, incense, and sweet licorice intermixed with some chocolate, plum, and black cherries, this lush, low acid, velvety-textured wine has reached full maturity, yet promises to last at this level for at least 5-10 years where properly stored. The wine shows real up-front, luscious depth in a very sexy, open-knit style. Anticipated maturity: Now-2012. Last tasted, 5/02.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Given the fact that Palmer often performs significantly better once it has been in the bottle for several years, I would not be surprised to see this rating move up. At present, it is attractively sweet and ripe, with little of the opulence of the magnificent 1989. The finish is much shorter, and there is not the same sense of profound depth and richness. Nevertheless, there is plenty to admire in this juicy, succulent yet lightweight Palmer. It should make delicious drinking in its first 10-12 years of life. Can d'Angludet actually be better?
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at the Château Palmer vertical in London, I confess that maybe I've been harsh towards the 1990 Château Palmer in the past, since it never quite matched the sublime 1989. However, this represents the finest bottle that I have encountered. The nose is complex with red cherries, allspice and sous-bois, tertiary scents developing as it opens in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine balance, not the most complex 1990 and not a patch on say Château Margaux 1990, yet there is precision here and a pleasant savory finish that maintains precision. I cannot envisage it improving further, but you would not throw your rattle out of the pram if a bottle landed on your table. Tasted May 2015.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
The 1990 Palmer has long been one of my favorite vintages; at 31 years of age, it is still utterly sublime. It opens wonderfully in the glass with blackberry, forest floor, crushed iris petals and just a touch of dried blood. You would actually think that this comes from a cooler growing season. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins. This has evolved since I last tasted it, mellowed and lost some of its plumpness, becoming more linear and almost reserved towards the finish. There's a touch of green bell pepper on the aftertaste. Wonderful. Tasted at 67 Pall Mall.
About the Producer
The fine seaside climate and soils of Long Island’s North Fork provide exceptional conditions for the making of world-class varietal wines. With 110 acres planted with Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc to supply the winery’s 20,000 annual case production, Palmer strives to preserve and enhance the purity of flavor and distinctive, fresh character which makes this region’s wines so unique. The state- of-the art winery contains the most modern winemaking equipment available today, and also includes substantial new French oak cooperage, purchased each year, for both barrel fermentation of our Chardonnay and the aging of our premium red varietals.
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