1990 Domaine Faiveley Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru

This firm offers a strong line-up of grands crus from the Cote de Nuits. The Mazis-Chambertin is even more savage and ferociously tannic, but potentially superior to the Clos de Vougeot. It possesses the darkest, most saturated ruby/purple color of any of the grands crus, as well as a fuller-bodied, more concentrated style. While the tannins are high, the wine appears to have the requisite depth of fruit to balance out the structure. This long, rich, intensely concentrated wine should be at its best by the late nineties and last into the second decade of the next century . 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. Importers: Henry Cavalier Selections, Boulder, CO and Ideal Wines, Medford, MA.