1990 Domaine Faiveley Nuits-Saint-Georges Clos de la Marechale 1er Cru

Faiveley believes the 1990s are the finest wines the firm has produced in several decades. Consumers will be happy to know that not only is there a bevy of top wines, but many of them are priced below what Faiveley the last two vintages. The international recession has hit Burgundy as hard as Bordeaux, so it is not surprising to see many producers cut prices by as much as 40% in order to sell their wines. Of course, much of these savings is lost to Americans because of our pathetically weak dollar. There are a half-dozen selections from the village of Nuits St.-Georges, all of which are at least excellent, some outstanding. The Nuits St.-Georges-Clos de la Marechale is the finest wine I have ever tasted from this vineyard. (My tasting experiences of the CLos de la Marechale date from the 1971 vintage.) The 1990 possesses a deep, saturated ruby/purple color, a huge, upfront nose of minerals, roasted black fruits, herbs, and meat. In the mouth, there is super depth of fruit, an unctuous, velvety texture, and a lusty, fat, glycerin-imbued finish. Delicious to drink now, it should continue to provide pleasure for 10-12 years. Importers: Henry Cavalier Selections, Boulder, CO and Ideal Wines, Medford, MA.