1990 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogue, Musigny Grand Cru, Cuvee Vieilles Vignes, Bottle (750ml)

1990 is remembered as one of Burgundy's truly legendary vintages, warm and generous enough to ripen an abundant crop perfectly across both red and white wines.

But the Musigny Vieilles Vignes from this year has always stood apart, and not without debate. On release it was dense, tight-fisted and broodingly backward, tannic enough that some predicted it would rank among the longest-lived red Burgundies of its era.

For years afterward, collectors argued over it: some found a powerhouse built for the long haul, others found a wine too rustic and too far from Chambolle's usual perfume and elegance.

That structure also made the wine notably sensitive to storage, with bottles held in cool, stable conditions consistently showing better than those exposed to heat or fluctuation. Ours has been held in temperature-controlled storage throughout.

Well over three decades from harvest, it's settling into the layered, complex maturity critics predicted from the start, floral lift and sous bois now emerging where raw structure once dominated.

Wine Advocate | 96 Points

"The Bordeaux-like, saturated dense ruby/purple color is followed by a tight-fisted nose and flavors of black fruits, underbrush, minerals, smoke, and new oak. Although extremely concentrated, the wine is broodingly backward, and not fun to drink … yet. This loaded effort should prove to be one of the longest-lived red Burgundies made in the last 20 years."

Clive Coates | #5 in Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines

"Full colour. Only barely ready. Still quite closed in on the nose. Coffee and mocha flavours. Fullish body. Now finally beginning to soften up. Concentrated. Very lovely raspberry fruit. Very good grip. Just a little tannin still to round off. Excellent long, vigorous finish. Potentially excellent."