1990 has long been whispered about as a year of near-mythical perfection in the world of wine. Across France, conditions aligned in rare harmony. Bordeaux basked in a hot, dry summer tempered by timely rain, Burgundy achieved extraordinary balance, Champagne yielded complex, age-worthy cuvées, and the Rhône produced reds of remarkable power. Names like Mouton, Margaux, Petrus, La Tâche, Krug, and Jaboulet became more than wines. They became benchmarks.
Richard Young, Vice President and Head of Wine Auction Sales in New York, unpacks what made 1990 such a defining moment for collectors and connoisseurs alike. From the weather that shaped the harvest to the bottles that remain legendary more than three decades later, it’s a look into why this vintage continues to captivate those who pursue the rarest and finest wines.
