1990 Clos Vougeot

This firm offers a strong line-up of grands crus from the Cote de Nuits. If you are looking for a rustic wine, with muscle and structure, Faiveley's Clos de Vougeot should be considered. The tightly knit Clos de Vougeot exhibits a deep ruby color, followed by a reticent but promising bouquet of jammy black-cherries and new oak that refused to dissipate even after 10-15 minutes of swirling. In the mouth, it is full-bodied, rich, and powerful, with gobs of fruit, glycerin, and tannin in the finish. I would not touch a bottle before the late nineties. 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.