I don't know about you, but there's a whole lot I miss about the 90's. For one, it was an era with the spotlight much less focused on Burgundy, where quantity and pricing were both ripe for the picking. Today, we turn back to focus on some of the standout red vintages: 1990, 1993, 1995, 1996, and 1999.

1990 is widely considered a standout between 1978 and 1999. The heat of the vintage produced powerful, voluptous wines that are far from typical, but have proven to be monumental in stature.

1993's hot August helped in providing great color and extract, essentially saving the vintage that saw a wet September. The wines are "classic" in the best sense with firmer tannins that have let the wines age beatifully. Think 2008 with more color and flesh.

1995 gave small yields, great concentration, with firm tannins and relatively high acidity. An austerity has begun to mellow and these show all the ability in the world for continued developement, with the greatest heights for many still to come.

1996 saw plentiful yields, and in the case of the Grand Crus and better situated 1ers the results are brilliant, high acid, vibrant wines. These have finally begun to soften and reward those who've been beyond patient with this vintage wildly celebrated since day one.

1999 also saw very strong yields, but here the profile is marked by its richness and dark fruit, still built with great energy from sufficient acids. One of the all-time great red Burgundy vintages. At 19 years of age the top 1ers and Grand Crus are beginning to hit their stride.

I'd be remiss in leaving out a few special wines from two vintages not featured below:

1998's terrific duo of Dujac Charmes Chambertin (2x, $429 per bottle), and Roumier Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Les Cras (2x, $449 per bottle).

And, nobody puts Freddy in the corner:
Mugnier's 1997 Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses (2x, $959 per bottle).

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1990

2x 1990 Comte Armand Pommard Clos des Epeneaux 1.5L $669

2x 1990 Lafarge Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes $799

2x 1990 Pousse d'Or Volnay 1er Cru Clos de la Bousse d'Or $349

1x 1990 Maume Mazis-Chambertin 1.5L $787


1993

4x 1993 Ponsot Latricières Chambertin $453

3x 1993 René Engel Grands Echezeaux $1,499

2x 1993 Michel Gaunoux Pommard 1er Cru Grands Epenots $179

2x 1993 Mugneret-Gibourg Clos Vougeot $799

1x 1993 Mugneret-Gibourg Ruchottes Chambertin $859

2x 1993 Lafarge Volnay Vendanges Sélectionnées $299

1x 1993 Drouhin Bonnes Mares (Domaine) $499

1x 1993 Pousse d'Or Volnay Caillerets Clos des 60 Ouvrées (Monopole) $394


1995

1x 1995 Bachelet Charmes-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes $515

1x 1995 D'Angerville Volnay 1er Cru Champans $215

1x 1995 Lafarge Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes $359

1x 1995 Mugneret-Gibourg Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Les Feusselottes $319

1x 1995 Mugnier Musigny $1,069

1x 1995 Roumier Morey Saint Denis 1er Cru Clos de la Bussière $329


1996

5x 1996 Lafarge Volnay 1er Cru Clos du Château des Ducs (Monopole) $344

3x 1996 René Engel Grands Echezeaux $1,499

3x 1996 Lafarge Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes $399

2x 1996 Bizot Echezeaux $779

2x 1996 Dujac Clos de la Roche 1.5L $2,599

1x 1996 Michel Gaunoux Pommard 1er Cru Grands Epenots $179

1x 1996 De Montille Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens $229

1x 1996 Gouges Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Les Saint Georges $279

1x 1996 Faiveley Chambertin-Clos de Beze (Domaine) $449

1x 1996 Comte de Vogüé Bonnes Mares $442

1x 1996 Mugnier Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses $1,099

1x 1996 Jacky Truchot Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Les Sentiers $765

1x 1996 Roumier Morey Saint Denis 1er Cru Clos de la Bussière (Monopole) $384

1x 1996 Lamarche La Grande Rue $499


1999

2x 1999 Chandon de Briailles Corton-Les Bressandes $137

2x 1999 D'Angerville Volnay 1er Cru Champans $224

1x 1999 Pierre Guillemot Savigny les Beaune 1er Cru Les Serpentières 1.5L $149

1x 1999 Drouhin Griotte-Chambertin (Domaine) $449

1x 1999 Drouhin Grands-Echezeaux (Domaine) $442

1x 1999 Rousseau Mazy Chambertin $674

1x 1999 Bachelet Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes $189