Tasting Notes

Release Date: Fall 1993

The 1990 Old Vine Reserve is a special wine for many reasons. First and foremost, this wine is fabulous and will give a decade or more of thoroughly positive evolution. It is for me all I have hoped for in a young Mount Eden Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine has what I am looking for: uniqueness, depth of flavor, impeccable balance, and a long complete aftertaste. Secondly, this Old Vine Reserve is from ancient vines which winemakers for generations have revered for they yield a wine of concentration longevity, and a sense of place. Last but not least this 1990 is one of the most collectable Cabernet vintages since 1975.

Structured for aging, this wine could be cellared for 5-8 years and will give 10 to 20 years of drinking pleasure.

 

Production

448

Tech Notes

Sorry, technical notes are not available for this vintage.

Reviews

93 points Robert Parker Jr's The Wine Advocate - October 1993

Issue # 89

This is the finest Cabernet Sauvignon made at this highly respected estate since the 1973 and 1974. The broodingly opaque purple color is followed by a promising bouquet of cassis, smoke, and minerals. Exquisite purity of fruit, immense extraction, and excellent balance make this full-bodied, super-rich Cabernet a sure bet for 20-30 years of cellaring. The well-integrated tannin and whoppingly long finish are impressive. It was kept open for three days without showing a trace of oxidation. Anticipated maturity: 1998-2025.

Connoissurs' Guide to California Wine 

Rating:

Rich, cassis-like fruit and extravagant oak combine nicely in a deep, well-proportioned aromas, and the generous flavors feature plenty of solid fruit that is always enriched by forthright oak. a gutsy wine, but never one challenged by excessive toughness or uncontrolled tannin, it finishes with nominal astringency and should develop handsomely for five to ten years.

California Grapevine - 1993

Medium-dark ruby color, attractive, rich, intense, slightly spicy, toasty, cedary, currant aroma with notes of vanilla and green olives; medium-full to full body; rich, concentrated, cedary. Black cherry fruit flavors; medium-full to full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Superior quality. This appealing Cabernet shows some maturity and is enjoyable to drink now. 17 pts (90 out of 100pts)