89 Wine Spectator
Old style, but attractive. Color is deep red, with a brick edge. Intense aromas of milk chocolate, berry and tobacco. Full-bodied and rather earthy, showing funky cedar and redwood flavors. Dry finish. Will it come around? Not sure.--1989 Bordeaux horizontal. Best after 2002. ?JS
89 Wine Spectator
Old style, but attractive. Color is deep red, with a brick edge. Intense aromas of milk chocolate, berry and tobacco. Full-bodied and rather earthy, showing funky cedar and redwood flavors. Dry finish. Will it come around? Not sure.--1989 Bordeaux horizontal. Best after 2002. ?JS
87 Robert Parker
In the past, I have expressed reservations about Certan de May's 1989, from its bizarre showings prior to bottling, and more conventional yet loosely-knit performances afterwards. This bottling revealed a raunchy, aged beef, gamey component that will prove to be controversial among tasters wishing to smell only new oak and fruit. While the wine possesses good concentration, its kinky, unusual aromatic profile and hard tannin dominate the concentration and fruit. Although distinctive, it does not live up to the quality of wines produced at Certan de May in such vintages as 1988, 1986, 1985, 1982, 1981, and 1979. Anticipated maturity: now-2009.
87 Robert Parker
In the past, I have expressed reservations about Certan de May's 1989, from its bizarre showings prior to bottling, and more conventional yet loosely-knit performances afterwards. This bottling revealed a raunchy, aged beef, gamey component that will prove to be controversial among tasters wishing to smell only new oak and fruit. While the wine possesses good concentration, its kinky, unusual aromatic profile and hard tannin dominate the concentration and fruit. Although distinctive, it does not live up to the quality of wines produced at Certan de May in such vintages as 1988, 1986, 1985, 1982, 1981, and 1979. Anticipated maturity: now-2009.