Examining Two 1990 Barolo

1990 Barolo - The Great Vintage. Or is 1982, 1989 or 1996 better? Or 2001? 2004? For those two latter time will tell. As to the former I would put 1982 in top followed by 1990. But that is because I haven´t tasted that much of the 1989´s, a vintage many holds as better than 1990.
But I have been lucky to taste a waste range of 1990´s over the years - you can see some here and here.

And two more just the other day - life is good!

1990 Barolo Bussia, Prunotto
A round, mature, soft nose with lots of sweet and sour cherries, lingonberries, autumn leaves, tobacco, dried mushrooms and masses of rosehips. A lovely traditional feeling. Perfectly mature on the nose. A fine warmth to the fruit. Very good.
The taste is taut and uncompromising in its style of tight cherry fruit, masses of dried mushrooms and sturdy tannins. This needs food. A fine warmth though. A medium long, very dry finish. Its like a upright lieutenant where duty always overtakes the fun. Really fine with food but a touch to robust on its own.
89p   (tasted 2012/10)

1990 Barolo Vigna Big Riserva, Rocche Dei Manzoni
I have been lucky to drink this on several occasions, and it have (almost) always performed great. The nose is sweet and seductive with gorgeous notes of sweet dried cherries, an autumn walk in a damp forest, rosehips, old leather, chocolate biscuits and lingonberry bushes. Really fine fruit. Wit air a fine note of bonfire emerges. Both yummy and structured. Great wine.
The taste is big, round, sweet and mature with notes of black cherries, tobacco, balsamic vinegar, dried mushrooms and leather. The tannins have melted perfectly into the fruit, but you still feel them in the end of the finish, just in the right amount. Complex and fine. Lovely with food, lovely to drink on its own, just lovely.
95p   (tasted 2012/10)