Critics Ratings

1989:
‘Orange colour. Very sweet start but quite a dry finish – less rich than Yquem 1989. A hint of prune flavour. Refreshing, not sickly.’ – Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Jul 2021)

‘The nose is more precocious than the previous vintage and is actually very similar in profile, perhaps with not quite the same level of clarity, yet still very attractive. The palate is medium-bodied with a viscous entry. There is superb race, thanks to the killer thread of acidity, a twist of sour lemon, mandarin and brown sugar sprinkled over the finish. There is a slight Aszu-like quality to the de Fargues that has great length and persistency.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 92/100 (Jun 2013)

‘Knockout aromas of creme brulee, white chocolate and raisin; more expressive than the '89 Yquem at the same stage though not especially fruit-driven. Unctuous and very rich, but given cut and clarity by lively notes of orange peel and marmalade. Really lovely concentration and balance. Less evolved than the '88 below. Very long and stylish.’ – Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 91+/100 (Jul 1998)

1990:
‘Fairly deep gold-tinged color. Superripe aromas of pineapple, cooked apple, honey and white raisin. Huge, thick and three-dimensional; shows a powerfully honeyed character and deep peachy fruit in the mouth. Almost aggressively young today, with the chewy character and uncanny richness shown by a number of these '90s. Slight heat and a note of mint on the very strong back end. This will require another five to seven years to reach its full potential and should be long-lived.’ – Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 92+/100 (Jul 1998)

‘Delivering 130 grams-per-liter residual sugar at 13.6% alcohol, it has a prodigious bouquet of over-ripe oranges, toffee apple, chlorophyll and even a faint hint of chocolate. The palate is medium-bodied with a luscious ripe mandarin and apricot-tinged entry, building wonderfully to a botrytis-laden finish that fans out like a firework, leaving traces of cumin and dried orange peel on the long finish. The ’90 de Fargues is simply superb in every way, a multi-faceted wonder.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 96/100 (Apr 2013)

‘This is really a wild wine. Emits wonderful aromas of orange peel, dried fruits and honey, and is full-bodied and incredibly concentrated, with fine acidity and a long, zingy, sweet aftertaste. Best after 2000.’ – Wine Spectator, 94/100 (Jan 1997)

Provenance

Private Client