1990 Vieux Château Certan - 3 L

Jun 1, 2009
Robert M. Parker, Jr.
94
This was a very strong vintage for Vieux Chateau Certan. The 1990 reveals a deep garnet color to the rim along with a sweet bouquet of charcoal, licorice, roasted herbs, forest floor, and a meaty, truffle-like scent. A fleshy, full-bodied wine with exceptionally low acidity, plenty of melted tannin, and a long, layered finish, this beauty is close to full maturity, but it is in no danger of falling apart. It should keep for another 15+ years. Release price: ($590.00/case)



Jan 1, 2003
Robert M. Parker, Jr.
93
This wine continues to put on weight and is looking stronger and stronger every time I go back to it. The color is still a very deep ruby with some purple nuances. The wine seems young and just approaching adolescence, but still has the vintage’s hallmark of super-ripeness and low acidity. The wine exhibits a sweet, almost menthol-infused black currant nose, with a hint of licorice, truffle, and underbrush. It is full-bodied and relatively muscular for a Vieux Chateau Certan, with relatively high tannin but very sweet tannin and a long, very authoritative finish. This is a brilliant wine that balances elegance with authoritative flavor. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2025. Last tasted, 1/02.



Jan 1, 1998
Robert M. Parker, Jr.
91
The 1990, which I previously rated several points higher, is backward and tannic, but promising. I was surprised by the severe level of harsh tannin in the wine, but I believe it is balanced out by sweet, jammy, coconut-scented, spicy, earthy, black currant and cherry fruit. The wine is full-bodied and muscular, with a tannin level that is far more pronounced than in previous tastings. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2020. Last tasted 11/96



Oct 1, 1994
Robert M. Parker, Jr.
94
Tasted 4 Times With Consistent NotesDeeply-colored, with a marvelously fragrant nose of herbs, berry fruit, oak, and exotic spices, the compelling 1990 Vieux-Chateau-Certan displays surprising opulence and ripeness, more unctuosity than usual as well as admirable structure and definition. The acid is lower, yet the extract level much higher in the 1990 than in the 1989. This is a superlative, medium to full-bodied, multidimensional wine. Anticipated maturity: now-2010.



Feb 1, 1993
Robert M. Parker, Jr.
93
Deeply-colored, with a marvelously fragrant nose of herbs, berry fruit, oak, and exotic spices, the 1990 Vieux-Chateau-Certan displays surprising opulence and ripeness, more unctuosity than usual as well as admirable structure and definition. The acid is lower, yet the extract level much higher in the 1990 than in the 1989. This is a superlative, medium to full-bodied, multi-dimensional wine. Anticipated maturity: 1994-2005.



Jun 1, 1992
Robert M. Parker, Jr.
91
Deeply-colored, with a marvelously fragrant nose of herbs, berry fruit, oak, and exotic spices, the 1990 Vieux-Chateau-Certan displays surprising opulence and ripeness, as well as admirable structure and definition. According to Alexandre Thienpont, proprietor of Vieux-Chateau-Certan, the acid is lower, yet the extract level is higher in the 1990 than in their successful 1989. There is plenty of chewy fruit in this medium to full-bodied, luscious wine. Anticipated maturity: 1994-2005.