The 1990 St.-Joseph-Le Grand Pompee is a thick, rich wine that is about as concentrated as St.-Joseph can be. After several years of cellaring, it may merit an outstanding rating. The opaque, saturated purple color is followed by a huge nose of blackcurrants and minerals, full-bodied, highly extracted flavors, good acidity, a significant lashing of tannin, and a long, authoritative finish. Approachable now, it would benefit from 3-4 years of cellaring and should last for 10-15. Having gone through Jaboulet's 1990 red wine offerings five times (four for the Hermitage-La Chapelle), I must say that this is the firm's best overall year since 1961.
Importer: Frederick Wildman, New York, NY; Tel. (212) 355-0700