A well-concentrated wine with dried herb and berry character. Full in body, with medium to full tannins. Long finish. Tight and closed. Give it time still.--1990 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2004. 1,600 cases made. -JS

This proved to be a very quick-evolving vintage for Certan de May. Somewhat loosely knit from its early days, the wine now has a dark garnet color with considerable amber at the edge, and its aromatics suggest an open-air Provencal market with the addition of creme de cassis. The wine is expansive, very low in acidity, very good, but hardly has inspirational levels of concentration or depth. The tannins are, as the French say, fondu (meaning melted), and the wine is not likely to get any better. It is such a great vintage, one would have hoped for greater concentration and intensity, but the wine is still very good. Anticipated maturity: Now-2008.Last tasted, 4/02.