Top 100 Wine Spectator 1993

A grande safra de 1990 em Bordeaux é mais uma vez destaque. Para quem tem alguma destas "garrafinhas", já podem pensar em bebê-las! Grandes Borgonhas e Californianos recheiam a lista. A safra de 1990 foi tão boa no hemisfério norte que apenas um do hemisfério sul entrou na lista (australiano)!

Top 100 Wines of 1993

Rank Wine Vintage Score Release Price

1  Château Latour Pauillac 1990 100 $80

Like a Michelangelo; everything is in perfect proportion. Has an amazing amount of violets, new wood and fruit on the nose and palate and a superb concentration of silky tannins. The wine of the vintage, and the best from this estate since the legendary 1961. Best after 2000.  –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

2  Gaja Barolo Sperss 1989 96 $60

Complex and fascinating, offering all sorts of floral, earthy overtones to the solid core of black cherry, blackberry and anise flavors. An intense wine that shows many facets, including a welcome whiff of vanilla and toast on the aftertaste. 2,700 cases made. – Country: Region: Italy Piedmont

3  Silverado Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Limited Reserve 1990 97 $40

A beautifully crafted Cabernet that combines ripe, rich, complex currant, black cherry, cedar, vanilla bean and spice. Wonderful depth, beautifully articulated flavors that keep pumping out the flavors. Delicious now, but should hold and gain through the decade. Best after 1996. 2,994 cases made. – Country: Region: California Napa

4  Château La Louvière Pessac-Léognan 1990 94 $22

Seductively powerful, with tons of lovely oak and ripe fruit flavors, full tannins and a long, luscious finish. Drinkable in 1998. 20,000 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

5  Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne 1990 95 $83

A throughbred of a wine that takes off on the finish. Superb. Wonderful aromas and flavors of coconut, lemon and pineapple. Full bodied yet balanced. Drink after 1997. 3,000 cases made. – Country: Region:  France Burgundy

6  Château Pichon-Longueville-Lalande Pauillac 1990 97 $40

This seductive, exciting Bordeaux has pulled all together since our barrel tasting. Harmonious and silky in texture, with mint, berry and cassis aromas and flavors and ultrafine tannins. It's hard not to drink it now, but try to wait. Best after 1998. 33,500 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

7  Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 1990 94 $15

Opulent and chewy with lots of ripe fruit flavors and spicy, buttery oak shadings. Serves up a rich core of black cherry, currant and plum-tinged fruit and finishes with a delicious encore of fruit and oak. Wonderful depth, richness, balance and finesse. 2,400 cases made. – Country: Region: California Napa

8  Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Ornellaia 1990 95 $42

This is a blockbuster with masses of chocolate, earth, minty aromas and flavors; full bodied with full round tannins and a super acid backbone. Best Ornellaia ever made. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. 8,330 cases made. – Country: Region: Italy Tuscany

9  Château Lagrange St.-Julien 1990 95 $26

Sculpted like a Rodin, this is a rugged yet well-defined Bordeaux that offers one of the best values of this outstanding vintage. Shows concentrated cassis, berry and dark chocolate flavors, rich tannins and a long, opulent finish. Best after 1998. 20,000 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

10  Château Lafite Rothschild Pauillac 1990 97 $105

The great first-growth estate produced a wine with amazing length in this new vintage. Goes on and on, with mint, plum and cassis aromas and flavors and ultrafine tannins. A superb Bordeaux. Best after 1999. 25,000 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

11  Gaja Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo 1989 98 $139

Tough in texture, but ripe and toasty, offering lovely black cherry, plum and violet aromas and flavors, remaining generous and flavorful through the firm and elegant finish. Needs time to sort out the tannins, but everything is beautifully integrated and harmonious. Best after 1997. 900 cases made. – Country: Region: Italy Piedmont

12  Château Le Gay Pomerol 1990 96 $32

An absolutely massive Bordeaux, with tons of exotic, ripe raspberry flavor and velvety tannins. Thick and rich, yet has great balance. A fine candidate for cellaring. Best after 2000. 2,000 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

13  Leonetti Cabernet Sauvignon Washington 1990 96 $26

Smooth, rich and opulent, exotically spicy, deep and concentrated. Lays out plum, prune, nutmeg, cedar and black cherry flavors with almost digital definition, echoing licorice on the finish. Fabulous, supple and delicious now. Best from 1995 through 2002. 915 cases made. – Country: Region: Washington Washington

14  E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Turque 1989 97 $150

Ripe and chunky, a demonically concentrated wine, its cherry, mineral, toast and violet flavors richeting around the palate, an exuberant, profound wine that needs until 1997 or 1998 just to settle down; should be at its best after 2000. 700 cases made. – Country: Region: France Northern Rhône

15  Château Pétrus Pomerol 1990 98 $400

An aristocratic wine that's almost as good as the awesome '89. Expressive and sophisticated, with wonderful ripe fruit and vanilla aromas, a palate of extremely silky tannins and superb flavor concentration. Best after 1999. 3,700 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

16  Château Trotanoy Pomerol 1990 96 $62

The Charles Atlas of Pomerol, with great muscular tannins. Amazingly ripe, offering intense oak, chocolate and fruit aromas and flavors. Best after 1998. 2,300 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

17  Gancia Barolo Cannubi Ca' dei Gancia 1989 96 $65

This stunning wine is rippling with layers and layers of dense, exuberant black cherry, violet, blackberry, tar and vanilla aromas and flavors. Muscular at the core, but sweet and supple through the extraordinary finish. A great wine in any context. The tannins are so refined you could drink it now, but has the stuff to age past 2000. 825 cases made. – Country: Region: Italy Piedmont

18  Chateau St. Jean Johannisberg Riesling Alexander Valley Late Harvest Special Select 1989 95 $25

Deep, dark, ripe and rich, a gorgeous, unctuous wine that offers cascades of honey, floral, caramel, apricot, pear and ginger aromas and flavors, finishing almost delicate for such a rich wine. Fabulous to drink now, perhaps best in 1996-1998. 475 cases made. – Country: Region: California Sonoma

19  Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste Pauillac 1990 95 $29

This big, up-front Bordeaux offers intense cedar, tobacco, cassis and berry aromas that carry through on the palate and lots of tannins to back it all up. As big as the great '82. Best after 1998. 27,500 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

20  Château Canon-La Gaffelière St.-Emilion 1990 95 $30

Combines power and elegance, showing the rich structure of a long-aging wine, yet the complexity is already elegant, with ripe fruit, cedar, licorice, violet, plum and mineral aromas and flavors. Best after 2000. 8,500 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

21  Château Lagrange Pomerol 1990 95 $30

Dense and powerful, with a breathtaking aftertaste of blackberries, chocolate and earth flavors. A superb wine; the harmonious structure will easily take it into the next century. Best after 2000. 2,600 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

22  Château Cordeillan-Bages Pauillac 1990 95 $33

A deep, dark giant, with smoky cassis aromas and flavors and tons of fruit and tannins. Isn't giving much now, but it's all there. Best after 2000. 900 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

23  Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric dël Fiasc 1989 95 $45

A luscious mouthful of wild berries, black cherry, toast and rose petal. Concentrated and exotic, a powerful wine with totally disarming aromas and flavors and remarkably supple texture. Layers and layers of personality make this a stellar candidate for cellaring. Best after 1997. 800 cases made. – Country: Region:

Italy Piedmont

24  Luciano Sandrone Barolo Cannubi Boschis 1989 95 $50

A mind-bending wine¿deep, dark, dense and concentrated. A powerful wine with generous raspberry and cherry flavors, ample tannins that is smoothly integrated. Gorgeous rose- and tar-scented flavors carry through the finish. 680 cases made. – Country: Region: Italy Piedmont

25  Château Larmande St.-Emilion 1990 94 $24

Dances across your palate with floral, vanilla, blackberry and black cherry flavors and superbly silky tannins. An exciting wine. Drink after 1998. 8,000 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

26  Château Cos-Labory St.-Estèphe 1990 94 $25

A textbook wine for the appellation, with spicy, meaty characteristics, full tannins and a long, juicy finish. Don't touch this for a decade. Drink after 2000. 10,000 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

27  Château Bourgneuf Pomerol 1990 94 $28

Solid and racy, with complex tar, licorice, violet and ripe fruit aromas that echo in the flavors. Shows excellent tannin structure. Drink after 1998. 5,000 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

28  Château La Croix-de-Gay Pomerol 1990 94 $28

As usual, this is big, thick and rich, showing loads of nutmeg, berry and ripe fruit characteristics. Long on the finish, with extremely velvety tannins. Has put on weight since our first barrel tasting. Drink after 1998. 6,000 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

29  Badia a Coltibuono Sangioveto 1988 94 $40

The greatest Sangioveto ever made. Massive wine with layers of tobacco, chocolate and violet character; full bodied and complete with perfect tannin structure and excellent acid. Best after 1997. 500 cases made. – Country: Region: Italy Tuscany

30  Château Clerc Milon Pauillac 1990 94 $30

A seamless wine with great character, offering cigar, tobacco, cedar, and rich plum flavors. Full-bodied yet well balanced, with lovely, full, silky tannins and a long finish. Best after 2000. 13,000 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

31  Giuseppe Mascarello & Figlio Barbaresco Marcarini 1988 94 $32

Sensational expression of Nebbiolo, exploding with black cherry, wild berry, lemon verbena and anise flavors without an overlay of oak, an exotic wine that holds itself in check just enough to qualify as elegant. Fresh and vibrant, tempting to drink now, but probably best from 1996. 600 cases made. – Country: Region:

Italy Piedmont

32  Beni di Batasiolo Barolo La Corda della Briccolina 1989 94 $38

Totally disarming, a gorgeous array of rose petal and anise-scented raspberry, vanilla and strawberry aromas and flavors extending through a supple finish that wraps its fine tannins smoothly around the warm fruit and spice. Drink now. 725 cases made. – Country: Region: Italy Piedmont

33  Château Beauséjour Duffau-Lagarosse St.-Emilion 1990 95 $45

Wild and exciting, a classy wine with a round, polished texture and intense smoke, vanilla and grape aromas and flavors. This property is really coming on strong. Best after 1997. 3,000 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

34  Louis Latour Montrachet 1990 96 $195

Packed to the brim with coconut, butterscotch, apple and pineapple character. Full-bodied, with amazing acidity and class. Try now. 600 cases made. – Country: Region: France Burgundy

35  Domaine des Comtes Lafon Meursault Désirée 1990 94 $71

Fantastic, with intense aromas of white truffles, apples and fruit. Full-bodied and concentrated, with great acidity. Drink now. 300 cases made. – Country: Region: France Burgundy

36  Domaine Leflaive Bâtard-Montrachet 1990 95 $150

A wine with laser-guided flavors. Intense pear, lemon, vanilla and coconut character. Great backbone and superb, fresh finish. Best after 1996. 700 cases made. – Country: Region: France Burgundy

37  Château de Pez St.-Estèphe 1990 93 $20

Overflowing with berry and raspberry flavors, this is elegant and fine in structure, with firm tannins and excellent length. Drink after 1998. 14,500 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

38  Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 1990 93 $20

Young, firm and intense, with a rich, complex, concentrated core of currant, cherry, anise and toasty, buttery oak flavors. A wine of great harmony, finesse, elegance and grace. Well-articulated fruit flavors stay focused on the long, rich finish. Delicious now, with its silky tannins, but should age well through the decade. Perhaps best around 1997. 3,646 cases made. – Country: Region: California Napa

39  Château Les Ormes-de-Pez St.-Estèphe 1990 93 $22

This monstrous wine shows huge amounts of cherry and toasted oak flavors and velvety tannins. Quite hard on the palate, but the very long finish suggests greatness. From Jean-Michel Cazes. Drink after 1998. 12,500 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

40  Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte Pessac-Léognan 1990 93 $22

A superbly crafted wine, with lush, velvety tannins and gorgeous plum, earth and vanilla flavors. This estate is on the rise. Try in 1998. 13,000 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

41  Château Pavie-Decesse St.-Emilion 1990 93 $22

Big and chunky, offering loads of strawberry, earth, toasted oak and mint aromas and flavors. Has superb, velvety tannins and a long finish. Drink after 1997. 4,500 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

42  Prunotto Barolo 1988 93 $27

Ripe, round and utterly distinctive, a rich-textured, refined wine with layers of spice, black cherry, black raspberry and cola winding through very fine, smooth-textured tannins, echoing coffee and violets along with the fruit. So supple that it's drinkable now, but best after 1996. 3,000 cases made. – Country: Region: Italy Piedmont

43  Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 1991 93 $23

Smooth, ripe and exotic. This fat, opulent wine displays spectacular blackberry, black cherry, currant and plum aromas and flavors that all come together in a silky, supple package. Delicious now, but should keep growing through 1998. 531 cases made. – Country: Region: California Sonoma

44  Pahlmeyer Chardonnay Napa Valley 1991 94 $24

Wonderful richness, depth and complexity, jam-packed with flavor, with tiers of pear, spice, apple and pineapple framed by smoky, toasty oak nuances that fold together into a tight, youthful and vibrant wine. Delicious now, but a good bet to gain through 1996. 400 cases made. – Country: Region: California Napa

45  Talbott Chardonnay Monterey 1990 93 $24

Ripe, intense and concentrated, with rich, spicy pear, peach and pineapple flavors that are smooth and polished. Reveals more depth and finesse with each sip and gains complexity and grace on the long, smoky finish. Simply delicious to drink now. 6,000 cases made. – Country: Region: California Bay Area/Central Coast

46  Dr. Loosen Riesling Auslese Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Wehlener Sonnenuhr 1992 93 $23

Powerful and exotic, displaying full-blown tropical fruit flavors and a spicy character. This full-bodied wine towers over most others in this category with its sheer intensity. Drinkable now. 200 cases made. – Country: Region: Germany Germany

47  Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 1990 93 $25

Deep, dense and delicious, bursting with plum, currant, chocolate and spice aromas and flavors, generous and concentrated, an elegant wine with power. Echoes anise and fruit on the long finish. Has enough tannin to want until 1998-2000. 2,000 cases made. – Country: Region: California Napa

48  Château Léoville Barton St.-Julien 1990 93 $31

Sleek and racy, with plum, raspberry and earth aromas and flavors, silky tannins and a wonderfully long finish. Drink after 1998. 22,000 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

49  Château Talbot St.-Julien 1990 93 $31

Like eating a reduced raspberry sauce. Rich and thick, with tons of fruit and velvety tannins, yet it's perfectly balanced. Drink now through 2003. 25,000 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

50  Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne La Grande Dame 1985 94 $100

Like a wild horse. Tons of potential. It's extremely exuberant and lively. Full bodied with masses of lemon, toast and apple character. It shows great acidity and long finish.  – Country: Region: France Champagne

51  Domaine de Chevalier Pessac-Léognan White 1989 94 $80

A stunning wine. Wonderfully deep, rich and complex, with tiers of honey, pear, spice and pineapple flavors, a silky-smooth texture and a finish that keeps pumping out the flavors. A wine with presence. Ready now through 1996. Definitely improved since o 750 cases made. – Country: Region: France Bordeaux

52  Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Echézeaux 1990 94 $110

Smooth, polished and velvety, a richly layered wine with marvelous plum, blackberry, vanilla, toast and spice aromas and flavors that linger on the finish. Graceful and deep. Perhaps best around 2000 to 2005. 1,446 cases made. – Country: Region: France Burgundy

53  Byron Chardonnay Santa Barbara County 1991 92 $14

Packs in lots of flavor, with ripe, spicy honey, pear, citrus and buttery oak nuances that turn rich and smooth on the palate. Has depth and complexity, echoing honey and spice on the long finish. Delicious now. 11,759 cases made. – Country: Region: California South Coast

54  Bonny Doon Muscat Canelli Monterey Vin de Glacière 1992 92 $15

Brilliantly spicy, fruity and generous, showing its flavors with digital clarity¿nutmeg, cinnamon, pear, apple and honey¿finishing sweet, rich and amazingly balanced. Drinkable now. 3,200 cases made. – Country: Region: California Bay Area/Central Coast

55  Rosemount Syrah McLaren Vale Show Reserve 1990 92 $16

Deep, dense, dark and powerful, with layers and layers of plum, berry, chocolate, coffee and cedar flavors finishing round and generous. Drink now. 1,900 cases made. – Country: Region: Australia Australia

56  Gunderloch Riesling Spätlese Rheinhessen Nackenheim Rothenberg 1992 92 $17

This electrifying wine jolts you with its intense flavors. Starts with citrus, apricot and lemon notes and ends with honey, floral and almond flavors on the clean, focused, complex finish. Drinkable now, but should be better after 1997. 350 cases made. – Country: Region: Germany Germany

57  Caymus Conundrum California 1991 92 $18

This delicious wine pumps out lots of flavor, with pear, spice, vanilla, apple and peach all rolling together in the same direction. Elegant, impeccably balanced and long and lingering on the finish, where it turns to honey and sweet oak. Drink now. 15,000 cases made. – Country: Region: California Other California

58  Château Le Bon-Pasteur Pomerol 1990 93 $36

A gorgeous wine that keeps you coming back for more, offering wonderful milk chocolate, roasted oak and fruit aromas and flavors and plenty of silky tannins. Best after 1997. 3,500 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

59  Ruinart Brut Champagne R de Ruinart NV 93 $37

Rich and earthy with complex pear, toast and honeyed flavors that taste mature, picking up carmel and earth flavors that offer uncommon depth and richness. Delicious now. 2,000 cases made. – Country: Region: France Champagne

60  Domaine Roulot Meursault Les Tessons Clos de Mon Plaisir 1990 92 $34

A blockbuster, with vanilla, honey, butterscotch and ripe fruit aromas and flavors. Full-bodied and immensely appealing. Best after 1996. 475 cases made. – Country: Region: France Burgundy

61  Michele Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti 1990 91 $9

Peppery, spicy notes invigorate this smooth-textured, nicely balanced wine, berry at the core, hinting at tobacco and tar on the rich finish. Drinkable now through 1996 and beyond. 11,000 cases made. – Country: Region: Italy Piedmont

62  Columbia Chardonnay Columbia Valley Woodburne Cuvée 1991 91 $12

This Washington wine has all the facets and depth you want in a barrel-fermented, malolactic-style Chardonnay. Apple and pear flavors are spiced up by toasty, buttery aromas and a spicy, butterscotchy note on the finish. Rich, beautifully balanced and complex. 7,500 cases made. – Country: Region: Washington Washington

63  Greenwood Ridge Zinfandel Sonoma County Scherrer Vineyards 1991 91 $13

Delicious, pure and ripe, offering cherry, raspberry, plum and spice flavors. Intense, complex, wonderfully balanced and harmonious. Try a bottle now and enjoy for its vitality, and keep a few to see what happens. Best from 1994 through 2000. 531 cases made. – Country: Region: California Sonoma

64  Wheeler Chardonnay Sonoma County 1991 91 $13

Ripe, lush and spicy, with a rich core of pear, peach and nectarine flavors kept alive by crisp acidity. Has a smooth, creamy texture and a long, full, lingering aftertaste. Drink now. 3,470 cases made. – Country: Region: California Sonoma

65  Guenoc Meritage Lake County 1990 91 $15

Comes alive with rich, complex fruit that echoes currant, spice and cherry, with a pretty toasty, buttery character from new oak. Balanced and concentrated, adding a long, full finish that keeps pumping out the flavor. 66 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 18 percent Cabernet Franc, 15 percent Merlot. 4,672 cases made. – Country: Region: California Mendocino/Lake

66  Navarro Chardonnay Anderson Valley Première Reserve 1991 91 $15

Bold, ripe, rich and creamy with pretty spice and vanilla flavors, but also a load of pear, apple, citrus and toast notes on a long, full, complex finish. Wonderful sense of harmony and finesse; drinks well now but should hold through 1995. 3,400 cases made. – Country: Region: California Mendocino/Lake

67  Shafer Chardonnay Napa Valley Barrel Select 1991 91 $15

Youthful, tight and focused, with spicy pear, nutmeg and melon flavors and pretty oak shadings. An impeccably well-balanced wine that allows the ripe fruit to play off the toasty oak and stay together through the finish. Drinkable now, but may benefit from cellaring. 6,000 cases made. – Country: Region: California Napa

68  Rombauer Chardonnay Carneros 1991 91 $15

Ripe, rich and packed with flavor, with tiers of honey, pear and butterscotch. The texture is smooth and silky, and flavors run on and on, gaining nuances on the finish. Best Rombauer Chardonnay in years. Delicious now through 1995. 4,000 cases made. – Country: Region: California Carneros

69  Markham Merlot Napa Valley 1990 91 $15

Ripe, rich and seductive with currant, black cherry, anise and plum flavors framed by toasty, buttery oak notes. Uncommon in California Merlot for its opulence and finesse; has fine tannins and a silky texture, yet also the depth to age through 1997. 15,000 cases made. – Country: Region: California Napa

70  Alphonse Mellot Sancerre La Moussière 1991 91 $16

Ripe, round and spicy, this uniquely balanced wine offers hazelnut, butter and toast nuances to the basic green apple and honeydew melon aromas and flavors that echo on the long finish. A stylish wine that shows all the signs of growing more complex. Drink now through 1995. 20,000 cases made. – Country: Region:

France Loire

71  Covey Run Chardonnay Yakima Valley Reserve 1990 91 $16

A great combination of ripeness and delicacy, with honey, hazelnut, pear and butter flavors. True Chardonnay flavor comes through in this Washington wine, with complexity and length. Beautifully balanced, showing richness without weight. Drink now through 1995. 2,060 cases made. – Country: Region: Washington Washington

72  Ridge Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Lytton Springs 1991 91 $18

Full-blown and fully oaked, displaying a fine, deep color, rich fruit flavors and polished tannins. Lush in texture and sweet with vanilla and spice notes from oak aging, but backed by solid blackberry, currant and black cherry flavors. A concentrated California Zinfandel. Best from 1995 through 2000. 7,430 cases made. – Country: Region: California Sonoma

73  Château Fontenil Fronsac 1990 91 $17

A classy wine that shows great winemaking. Fills your mouth with plum and black cherry flavors and silky tannins. From Michel Rolland. Drinkable now. 3,500 cases made. –JS Country: Region: France Bordeaux

74  Daumen Père & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Domaine de la Vieille Julienne 1990 91 $17

A tight, tannic wine, with potential for aging. Already has a complex aroma, but the stiff texture and intense fruit will need time to open up for maximum enjoyment. Currant, black cherry, cedar, earth and spice flavors make it fascinating to sip. Best to cellar until at least 1998. 6,000 cases made. – Country: Region: France Southern Rhône

75  Clos Pegase Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 1990 91 $17

Firm and intense with a solid core of cherry, currant, plum and spice flavors that gently unfold into a spicy, concentrated, impeccably balanced wine that finishes with pretty, cedary oak notes and fine tannins. Tempting now for its plush texture, but sure to pick up complexity. Drink now through 2002. 2,400 cases made. – Country: Region: California Napa

76  Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 1990 91 $18

Sleek and flavorful, this pretty, almost exotic wine has lots of fruit and spice flavors and a long finish. Mint and currant aromas, a smooth texture, supple tannins and great balance add to its appeal. Drinkable now, but so nicely proportioned that it should age through at least 1997. 10,000 cases made. – Country: Region: California Napa

77  Markham Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 1991 90 $9

Ripe, smooth and polished, with rich, concentrated pear, fig, herb, spice and citrus flavors that turn creamy and complex on the long, full finish. One sip calls for another. Delicious through 1995. 11,500 cases made. – Country: Region: California Napa

78  Byron Sauvignon Blanc Santa Barbara County 1992 90 $9

Firm and flavorful, with a nice array of spicy, toasty, slightly herbal pear, honey and grapefruit aromas and flavors that ride gently into a long finish. Stylish, harmonious and graceful, showing a definite touch of oak. Drinkable now. 2,803 cases made. – Country: Region: California South Coast

79  Estate Baccala Merlot Napa Valley 1990 90 $10

A full-fledged Merlot, with ripe, spicy flavors, a deep color and a lingering finish. Packs in currant, plum and black cherry flavors accented by cedar, nutmeg and vanilla from oak aging, all wrapped in a supple but firm texture and fine tannins. Shows great potential. Drink from 1994 to 2000. 1,800 cases made. – Country: Region: California Napa

80  Meeker Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Gold Leaf Cuvée 1990 90 $10

Crisp and lively, with a rich, focused band of raspberry, cherry and currant flavors flanked by firm, drying tannins. Packs in lots of fresh, lively fruit and is elegantly balanced. The tannins suggest you can cellar this through 1998. 2,050 cases made. – Country: Region: California Sonoma

81  Chateau Souverain Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 1990 90 $11

Solidly built, well packed with currant, plum, toast and tobacco aromas and flavors, persisting and spreading on the finish. Gets a little tannic, but it should be terrific after 1998. 33,381 cases made. – Country: Region:

California Sonoma

82  Selbach-Oster Riesling Spätlese Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Zeltinger Sonnenuhr 1992 90 $11

This has what many '92 Mosel Rieslings are lacking: structure and concentration. A bit shy now, but the peach, floral and mineral flavors become fuller and more complex after a while in the glass. Try now.  – Country: Region: Germany Germany

83  Labouré-Roi Meursault Clos de la Baronne Domaine René Manuel 1991 91 $21

Wonderfully ripe, with toasted oak, vanilla, honey and tropical fruit; a full body and a long, flavorful, fresh finish. Drink now. 800 cases made. – Country: Region: France Burgundy

84  Louis Jadot Meursault 1990 91 $25

Lovely, with lime, lemon, mineral and vanilla aromas and flavors, medium body and an intense finish. Drink now.  – Country: Region: France Burgundy

85  Michele Chiarlo Barolo 1988 92 $23

Ripe and complex, a full-bodied wine with more finesse than most, offering harmonious black cherry, plum, anise and tar, along with a definite toasty spiciness. Tannins are definitely firm, but there is a real sense of freshness that should keep it developing through 1998. 7,000 cases made. – Country: Region: Italy Piedmont

86  Marcarini Barolo Brunate 1989 91 $25

Smooth and polished, with an elegant beam of raspberry, cherry, spice and rose petal lighting up the aromas and flavors, sweet tannins swarming over the finish. Still, the fruit shines through. Best to drink from 1997. 1,800 cases made. – Country: Region: Italy Piedmont

87  Firestone Chardonnay Santa Ynez Valley Barrel Fermented 1991 90 $13

A graceful, harmonious California Chardonnay, with plenty of style. Crisp, focused and flavorful, with spicy, toasty apple, pear and vanilla aromas and flavors that swirl around on the finish. Drinkable now. 16,000 cases made. – Country: Region: California South Coast

88  Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley 1990 90 $13

Firm and ripe, a medium-weight wine with a fleshy texture and spicy, cedary currant and mineral aromas and flavors, all of it smoothly shaped into a wine that should continue to improve through 1999. 35,000 cases made. – Country: Region: California Sonoma

89  Estancia Meritage Alexander Valley 1990 90 $14

Ripe and distinctive, with a toffee, spice-scented tone to the supple currant and blackberry flavors, finishing rich and elegant. Has the style and concentration to mature through 1998. 70 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 25 percent Cabernet Franc and 5 percent Merlot. 8,000 cases made. – Country: Region: California Sonoma

90  Louis Latour Puligny-Montrachet 1990 91 $31

Exceedingly ripe with wild fruit and earthy aromas and flavors; full bodied and intense with firm acidity. Drink now. 5,000 cases made. – Country: Region: France Burgundy

91  E. Guigal Hermitage 1989 91 $33

A youthful, intense Hermitage that shows a lot of spicy oak at this stage, but concentrated black cherry and currant flavors underneath mark it as a serious candidate for the cellar. It's rare to find this much flavor, but the tannins and obvious oak not 4,000 cases made. – Country: Region: France Northern Rhône

92  Ponzi Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 20th Anniversary 1990 91 $35

Ripe, smooth and complex, offering silky, elegant cola, cherry, currant and vanilla flavors that are rich and intense, with subtle nuances and deep, lingering flavors. Drinks well now, but appears to have the intensity and depth to cellar through 1996. T 640 cases made. – Country: Region: Oregon Oregon

93  Leonetti Merlot Washington 1991 92 $22

Ripe, rich and concentrated, yet it remains extraordinarily well balanced, harmonious and elegant. Starts off with plum, currant and black cherry flavors, then offers shades of hazelnut, vanilla and spice nuances, finishing with a velvety aftertaste. Drink now through 1999. 1,015 cases made. – Country: Region: Washington Washington

94  E. & J. Gallo Chardonnay Northern Sonoma Estate Bottled 1991 92 $30

Gallo hits the big time with this outstanding new estate Chardonnay. Elegant, rich and flavorful, with beautiful detail. Has wonderful balance and finesse. Picks up a smoky edge on the finish. Drink now through 1995. 3,520 cases made. – Country: Region: California Sonoma

95  Drappier Brut Champagne Carte d'Or 1989 92 $35

Packs in lots of concentrated flavors, yet maintains its elegance and finesse, with spicy pear, vanilla, toast and light cherry notes, finishing with a smooth, creamy texture. Drink now through 1996.  – Country: Region: France Champagne

96  Roederer Estate Brut Anderson Valley L'Ermitage 1989 92 $35

A wonderful example of just how good California bubbly can be. Creamy and rich, a toasty wine with pear and hazelnut notes that keep singing on the finish. A graceful bubbly with style and plenty of flavor, a lot like a fine Champagne. 4,600 cases made. – Country: Region: California Mendocino/Lake

97  Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1990 92 $40

Not as appealing as the '89, our Wine of the Year in 1991, but it's a generous, concentrated, intensely fruity Châteauneuf that blends mouthfilling flavors with complex cedar, spice and leather accents. Sturdy tannins and solid acidity mark this as a good candidate to cellar. Best after 1996. 17,000 cases made. – Country: Region: France Southern Rhône

98  Podere Il Palazzino Chianti Classico 1990 90 $16

Incredibly fresh and vivid with berry, floral aromas and flavors, full bodied and full tannins yet very silky. Drinkable now. 1,200 cases made. – Country: Region: Italy Tuscany

99  Ferrari-Carano Siena Sonoma County 1991 90 $20

A solid wine with beautifully articulated currant, spice and vanilla aromas and flavors, smooth and generous on the long finish. Has style and grace to age through at least 1998. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. 375 cases made. – Country: Region: California Sonoma

100  Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir Oregon 1990 90 $30

Source: http://vinhosemaisvinhos.blogspot.com/2010/08/top-100-wine-spectator-1993.html