1983 Certan De May

The fully mature 1983 Certan de May is exhibiting more overall balance and richness than I originally stated. The dark ruby/garnet color contains some orange/amber nuances. The wine's bouquet generously offers cedar-scented, jammy curranty fruit, and smoky new oak. Full-bodied, yet loosely knit, this corpulent, fleshy wine has dropped its tannin without losing its luscious fruit. There is a rustic quality to the 1983 that I have not noted in other vintages of Certan de May. This powerful wine can be drunk now, but promises to be even better by the end of the decade; it should last for 15-20 years. Last tasted, 4/93.