Georges de Latour Private Reserve (1990)
SommeliAI Insights
A classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with rich black fruit flavors and elegant structure.
About this wine
The 1990 Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Beaulieu Vineyard presents a medium brick color, indicative of its maturity. On the nose, it offers bold aromas of baked black cherries, dried plums, and rose hip tea, complemented by hints of dried herbs, new leather, and camphor. The palate is medium-bodied, featuring firm, grainy tannins that support layers of pure black fruit preserves, leading to a long and lively finish. This vintage marked the first use of French oak at Beaulieu, with the wine aged for 20 months in a mix of 50% French and 50% American oak barrels, adding complexity to its profile. The 1990 growing season experienced both drought and rainstorms, with heavy rain in late May significantly reducing yields, resulting in a wine of concentrated flavors and impressive aging potential.
About the grape
In the 1990 vintage of Beaulieu Vineyard's Georges de Latour Private Reserve, the wine was composed of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot. This vintage marked the first time the winery incorporated French oak barrels, aging the wine for 20 months in a mix of 50% French and 50% American oak. The use of Merlot in this blend added a layer of complexity and softness to the wine, complementing the structure provided by the Cabernet Sauvignon.
Quick facts
- 🍷 The 1990 vintage of Beaulieu Vineyard's Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was the first to incorporate French oak barrels, with the wine aged for 20 months in a mix of 50% French and 50% American oak.
- 🍇 This vintage is composed of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot, resulting in a medium-bodied wine with firm, grainy tannins and flavors of baked black cherries and dried plums.
- 🌱 The 1990 vintage experienced reduced yields due to poor fruit set, leading to a more concentrated and flavorful wine.
- 🏰 Beaulieu Vineyard, founded in 1900 by Georges de Latour, is one of Napa Valley's oldest wineries, renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon.
- 🌄 The name 'Beaulieu' translates to 'beautiful place' in French, reflecting the founders' admiration for the vineyard's location.
Palate profile
Producer
Beaulieu Vineyard (BV) was founded in 1900 by Georges de Latour and his wife, Fernande, in Rutherford, California. The name "Beaulieu," meaning "beautiful place" in French, was inspired by Fernande's exclamation upon seeing the property. During Prohibition, BV thrived by producing sacramental wines for the Catholic Church, allowing it to expand significantly. In 1938, the winery hired André Tchelistcheff, a renowned winemaker who introduced innovative techniques and elevated BV's reputation, particularly with the creation of the "Georges de Latour Private Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, BV remains a cornerstone of Napa Valley's winemaking heritage, continuing to produce acclaimed wines from its historic vineyards.
