Leoville-Las Cases St. Julien (base neck; scuffed label) 1990

98 points (19/20) La Revue du Vin de France: "Still a legend. The wine only expresses itself after a long period of time in decanter. It then reveals a full and intense body with supremely refined tannins. (Jan 2012)"

96 points Robert Parker: "As one might expect, this is a brilliant wine, but it remains shockingly young, even for the fast evolving 1990s. Its deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by a classic, nearly restrained set of aromatics that includes notions of sweet black cherries, black currants, lead pencil, and wet stones. In the mouth, it is full-bodied, and while technically low in acidity, there is a freshness, delineation, and classicism in this full-throttle, rich, concentrated, impeccable 1990. While still youthful, it is easy to appreciate despite its substantial tannins. It is not quite as backward as the 1990 Lafite Rothschild or 1990 Latour. Anticipated maturity: now-2035. (Jun 2009)"

96 points (19/20), Decanter: "Ripe flavours with more generosity and opulence than is typical of Léoville-Las Cases. Palate is filled with firm, ripe tannins, plums and roasted herbs. Sumptuous in texture, this wine will cellar easily for 20 or more years. Drink: 2013-2035. Alcohol 13%. (Dec 2013)"

95 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "Tasting the 1990 Léoville Las Cases just a few days after the 1989, it is clear which is the best vintage…this one. It has a sublime nose of melted black fruit, tar, cedar and bay leaf that shrugs off the heat of that summer better than most others. At 33 years of age, you could just lose yourself in these aromatics. The palate is clearly holding up well: beautifully defined and supple yet with typical Las-Cases backbone and depth. It builds magnificently in the glass toward a harmonious finish that reminds me of the 1985 in terms of its fleshiness. Wonderful. Tasted at the Lia's Wings/book dinner at Medlar restaurant. Drink: 2023-2045. (Dec 2023)"

94+ points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Saturated ruby-red to the rim. Bound-up but intense nose of licorice, blackcurrant, and chocolate, with lovely oak treatment. Brooding and unevolved on the palate, but the great extract and depth of flavor are easy to appreciate. Brilliantly delineated, thanks to sound acidity. Proprietor Delon declassified more than 60% of his crop to make this sensational wine. Endless, firm aftertaste. (Nov 1993)"

94 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot). A little less vibrant in colour than the 1982, this is closer to tawny than rose, with welcoming soot and hearth smoke on the nose, and on the first palate. The fruit is plum and loganberry, softened and atumnal, with dark spice - the Petit Verdot is making its presence felt in those early years, marking it out from the post 2005 years when this grape no longer appears. Elegant and precise, with fine tannins, softens on the finish, this is in its drinking window, revs up halfway through and again has the precise elegance that makes it so much St Julien once in its mature phase. Great, but not as good as the 1982. 50% new oak. Drink: 2023-2036. (12/7/22)"

19/20 points Jancis Robinson, MW: "The nose of this wine had a very light whiff of TCA but not enough to distract from what is clearly a monumental wine, enlivened by the richness of the vintage. So spicy and positively throbbing with life and potential. So long! Drinking Window: 2007-2036. (8/7/18)"

18.5/20 points Clive Coates (The Wines of Bordeaux): "Very full colour. Still youthful. Backward. Very classic. Excellent structure. Very classy fruit on the nose. Still very youthful. Still very closed-in on the palate, even compared with Léoville-Barton. Very concentrated. Very lovely. Still quite a lot of tannin. Needs time. Very fine. 2005-2025. (2004)"