TNs: Coonawarras from 1990 - Pyrus, Parker and St George

[Baby Chickpea]

1990 Parker Estate First Growth Terra Rossa Cabernet Sauvignon
Mid red with developing browns on the rim. Good clarity. Nose is very deep with rich black fruits. Still youthful and restrained. The wine is drinking very well and seems close to its peak. Probably needs another 1-2 years, as the very fine, gravely and velvet-like tannins fall into place. As it is now, itÂ’s not a great wine (and probably will be) but is very good. Expected more from the length and is lacking complexity. The palate is full-on black plums and is round. I donÂ’t think this wine has lived up to its early promise (like most 1990 Coonawarras). Truth be told, I was slightly disappointed given how well this showed on release.
88 / 100

1990 Lindemans St. George Cabernet Sauvignon
Mid red with hardly any browns. Excellent. First impressions on the bouquet were of sweetness, liquorice and ripe fruit. Soon after, the wine closed up, especially on Day 2. The palate is initially very acidic. After two hours in a decanter, it fleshed out. Good but not exceptional length. Tannin well integrated (unlike the Parker). Fruit is there but not too obvious. The wine seems to have weakened when last tasted 2-3 years ago. Overall, pretty good. Day 2? Went downhill with tannin to the fore. Has not lived up to its potential.
86 / 100

1990 Lindemans Pyrus Blend
Medium red. Nose redolent of sweet plums, cherries, dark chocolate and spice. A lot of liquorice and quite lovely. Palate is medium-bodied, with a good flavour follow through with little tannin but quite a bit of tartness from acute acidity. Seems to be at its peak but will hold. Finely balanced with very good length. Much softer with time and more elegant. Left a bit overnight in an open glass and little change. The surprise of the three wines given I expected this to be the weakest of the three wines.
90 / 100

[707 Guest]

Have to agree on the 1990s, they still drink well but to my mind the 1991 Coonawarras are well in front now.

Cheers - Steve