Delectable Wine

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9.7

The 1990 Cristal is remarkable. Polished, nuanced and light on its feet, the 1990 is all class. Citrus, orchard fruit and floral notes are wonderfully lifted throughout. A slight reductive note adds character on the finely knit finish. I can’t think of a better way to start this tasting. Simply put, the 1990 is a total rock star. Moreover, it is much more delicate than most wines from this ripe vintage. Amazingly, the 1990 tastes like it is still not ready! “Nineteen ninety was my second vintage here,” says Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon. “It was ideal. The fruit was just perfect. We blocked the malolactic fermentation completely and only fermented 6-7% of our lots in oak, as opposed to the more typical 20%, in order to preserve as much freshness as possible. The wine was made by my predecessor, Michel Pansu, but I was learning. This was the first year I started working with oxygen by reducing sulfites in vinification to pre-oxidize the Chardonnay musts, as I do know, which allows me to get rid of all the unstable, oxidative compounds. With Pinot, on the other hand, you need a little bit of sulfur at crush or you lose the brilliant fruit. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2018) — 7 years ago

Manny Abascal

9.3

Cherry, dried fruit, oak, silky, smooth tannins, brilliant. — 8 years ago

Kevin Ortzman

9.4

The second year of this great wine. '14 yielded twice the production of '13 and expanded from Stags Leap to Rutherford. This resulted in a RP rating of 94 pt. Congratulations John and Stacey. Dark berries with hints of cocoa, tobacco and cinnamon. Adding to my collection! — 8 years ago

with Frank, ADAM and 2 others

E Soldezzo

9.2

I'm not a huge sweet moscato fan, so this one works perfectly for me. Loved it! Just a touch of effervescence. — 9 years ago

with Joe

Patrick Malcor

9.8

Brilliant. — 10 years ago

Matt Fosket

10

Six hours and quadruple decanted and it's brilliant — 11 years ago

Mike Evans

9.5

Lemon creme brûlée in a bottle, with more acidity than I would have predicted 20 years ago. For a long time this was my third favorite of the brilliant 1988 to 1990 run, but it may have passed the 1990 and is closing in on the 1988 as the balancing acidity becomes more and more apparent. — 7 years ago

with Kevin and Stan

Matt Perlman

9.4

So silky, whiff of Brett blows off quickly to reveal pure and bright black cherry fruit. Brilliant — 7 years ago

Larry Frierson

9.6

Lime and limestone. So savory. Brilliant acidity. Great with petrale sole. — 8 years ago

Justin Brilman

9.2

Each time I have this 13 I like it more and more. Shared with family who hadn't tried it before and they also loved it. The finish on this is long and focused just love it. — 9 years ago

Melanie Barnes

9.5

It was the best Italian wine I have ever had. Brilliant. Excellent depth and tannins. — 10 years ago

Jakub Kalinowski

9.4

Infanticide, I know... brilliant nevertheless — 10 years ago

Chelli Webster

VP Marketing/Sales Webster Cellars

9.6

'92 screaming eagle- sensational noise jammy black currants and oak-full body ripe intense fruit- brilliant finish — 11 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Finessed, terrific complexity, bruised white peach, petrol, wet stone and a bit nutty along with tea leaves on the finish. Such a brilliant expression of Wachau. — 7 years ago

Gregory Spock

9.2

Brilliant plum and raspberry with as smooth a lasting impression as a Teddy Pendegrass tune. No acidic overtones. — 7 years ago

with Joseph C and Janna

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Bruised golden apple, pineapple, golden raisins, ginger ale, brioche, citrus blend, touch of honey, yellow lilies, quince, orange peel, nut skin, toffee, brilliant acidity, chalkiness and rich long finish. — 8 years ago

James Wells

9.4

2010 Vintage...just brilliant — 9 years ago

Mike Jordan (MJ)

10

A brilliant wine from my favorite Oregon winery. — 10 years ago

John Daugherty

9.4

Heavenly! Crushed rock, citrus, white flowers, hint of petrol. I can't stop putting my nose in the glass. Bright, juicy red apple and melon flavors. Medium bottle with sugar kept in check by brilliant acidity. Finish sails on for a minute plus. Truly one of the best! — 10 years ago

jams jerfy

9.5

brilliant. — 12 years ago