1990 Petrus Merlot - France - Bordeaux - Pomerol - Red

Very, very deep ruby, but it looks slightly more evolved than the 1989. Very heady, rich, opulent, almost burnt character. Big, round, and meaty. Broad, velvety, and sweet. Very Californian in its build, but long and rich and seductive. Sweet and long. Almost medicinal. Very, very long. Lots of pleasure. Very, very long. So ripe, but underneath there are lots of tannins, although I don't think this will be one of the longest-living vintages.

The phenomenally rich, well-endowed 1990 Petrus has been magical from the first time I tasted it in cask. The color is a dense, jammy plum/purple. The wine possesses a knock-out nose of black fruits intertwined with aromas of toasty new oak, caramel, and flowers. Massively rich and full-bodied, with slightly lower acidity and sweeter tannin than its older sibling, the 1989, the 1990 is an extraordinarily rich, seamless wine with layers of flavor, and a finish that lasts for nearly 45 seconds. Although it is remarkably accessible because of its voluptuous texture, this wine has not begun to develop secondary nuances. It should hit its peak in 10-15 years, and last for three decades.

That hasn't changed. A classy wine that's almost as great as the awesome '89. Expressive and sophisticated, with wonderful ripe fruit and vanilla aromas. The palate is extremely silky with superb flavor concentration. It's very muscular but refined and toned. Still too young to open.--Petrus non-blind vertical. 3,700 cases made.