1990 Clos St Denis
By Domaine Dujac
1990 Clos St Denis from Domaine Dujac, Burgundy, France
The 1990 vintage in Burgundy is often discussed with a reverent hush, for it produced a cache of wines that bear the hallmarks of exceptional viticulture and skilled winemaking. Among the jewels unearthed from this year, the 1990 Clos St Denis from Domaine Dujac stands out as a paramount expression of terroir and time.
A Vintage's Voice: Terroir in a Bottle
Domaine Dujac's commitment to letting the vineyards speak has never been more evident than in the vivid articulation of their 1990 Clos St Denis. The season's agreeable climatic conditions afforded a slower ripening period, yielding grapes with concentrated flavours balanced by a robust acidity that is now mellowing beautifully.
Distinctive Provenance: Time's Graceful Touch
With over thirty years to evolve, this edition emerged as one of the brightest stars in Burgundy's firmament. The perfect alliance between varietal and time has imbued the 1990 Clos St Denis with a character that is both classic and singular. The wine introduces itself with an ethereal bouquet of cherry and damp earth, giving way to a palate where dark fruit combines with sous-bois and exotic spices – elements that captivate collectors and connoisseurs alike.
The tannins have aged into silk, enabling the complex layers of flavour to unfold harmoniously. It sings of its storied origin, the revered vineyards of Clos St Denis, where minerality meets history.
Investment Worthy: A Lasting Legacy
Every sip of the 1990 Clos St Denis whispers of its storied past, making it not just a noteworthy bottle for oenophiles but a sage investment for those attuned to the call of fine Burgundian wine. Its evolution in bottle suggests an advantageous capacity for further maturation or immediate gratification if one chooses to indulge now. Thus, this distinguished vintage from Domaine Dujac solidifies its credibility amongst tastemakers and investors alike.
In conclusion, holding or partaking in the 1990 Clos St Denis signifies more than an exercise in acquiring fine wine; it’s an embrace of a remarkable vintage that continues to astound and enrich the palettes and portfolios of those fortunate enough to encounter it.
Market price (USD)
$74,810.00
12x75cl
Highest score
93
POP score
4713.85
Scores and tasting notes
Seysses's three best efforts in 1990, a vintage where his yields were only 35 hectoliters per hectare, include a soft, profound Clos St.-Denis, a full-bodied, tannic, muscular, dark-colored, sweet, superbly extracted Clos de la Roche, and the richest, most age-worthy wine of all, the Bonnes Mares. Despite the precociousness of the Clos St.-Denis, it could benefit from another 2-3 years of cellaring; it should last for 12-15 years. It exhibits a complex, sweet, earthy, berry, herb, and smoky nose, voluptuous, rich, chewy flavors, and a well-defined, dramatically long finish that reveals a moderate tannin level beneath the copious quantities of sweet fruit. Jacques Seysses is immensely proud of his 1990s, proclaiming them the finest wines he has made since 1978. He said the same thing about his 1985s, but I agree that the 1990s appear to have greater potential for longevity. Importers: Frederick Wildman, New York, NY, Chambers and Chambers, San Francisco, CA, and a handful of other importers who import Dujac's wines directly into their respective states.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 22 October 1992