Styleforum › Forums › Lifestyle › Social Life, Food & Drink, Travel › 1990 rioja - any good?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

1990 rioja - any good?

post #1 of 6
7/13/08 at 8:42pm
Thread Starter 
I pulled out a bottle of rioja from 1990 that I'd nearly forgotten about. Does this stuff age well? And, what should I pair it with? Label is below, in case it means more to you than it does to me.

Kevin
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 6
7/13/08 at 9:04pm
I am not familiar with that label, but some Riojas can be cellared from a long time, so it could be very good. If it was poor quality to begin with it could be very bad. I would decant it (for oxygen and sediment), and also have a backup bottle in case it sucks.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 6
7/13/08 at 9:55pm
Rioja can last a long time, and a few decades ago, Marques de Riscal was one of the classier choices. I don't really know where they stand now. In any case, a 1996 Wine Spectator review says

"Soft tea and cinnamon flavors run through this maturing wine. It finishes sweet, but with drying tannins. Drink now. "

Rated 82 points, which in their lingo means "I hated it. It will really suck in a few years."

Of course, with wine that has a distinct regional style, WS and other critics sometimes misunderstand the stuff, and completely botch a call on a young bottle.

For pairing, one of the classics is paella.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 6
7/16/08 at 10:44am
Thread Starter 
Thanks all. Looks like this is either going to be really good or really bad. Fingers crossed for the former.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 6
7/17/08 at 11:48am
Let us know how it turned out, please. 1990 was a great year worldwide, but I'm not familiar with the subtleties of particular vinyards. I would assume that if it's not over the hill right now then it is perfect for opening.


Once again, let us know how it turned out!
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 6
7/17/08 at 8:08pm
Marques de Riscal have been around forever, and they're generally pretty reliable. There's no reason to keep that 1990 any longer, though. I doubt you'll be blown away, but it should be more than OK.

The standard recommendation (which I agree with) would be to pair it with pork, lamb, or a lighter cut of beef. I think it would go especially well with a dish featuring tomatoes. Lamb ragout?

Let us know how it is!
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
Styleforum › Forums › Lifestyle › Social Life, Food & Drink, Travel › 1990 rioja - any good?