Château Mouton Rothschild - Pauillac 1989 b5952cb1c3ab96cb3c8c63cfb3dccaca

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byNeal Martinthe1/31/2017

Tasted from magnum and presented by Baron Philippe Sereys de Rothschild, the 1989 Château Mouton-Rothschild might not reach the ethereal heights of the 1982 or 1986, but it is certainly a lovely Claret. It has an attractive, slightly leafy bouquet armed with cedar and pencil lead. There is less fruit concentration than I expected, resolutely classic, slightly austere Bordeaux. The palate follows suit. What it lacks in substance it compensates with in balance and personality. This is an understated Mouton-Rothschild that is probably at its peak, although I envisage this offering another two decades of pleasure. Whilst this showing did not replicate some glorious bottles in the past, it remains a very fine Claret that may not be inclined to improve any further. Tasted February 2016.

Jamessuckling.com

98 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/17/2015

Freshly picked blackberries turn into minty dark chocolate and oozing caramel with domineering eucalyptus on the nose. It becomes yet more complex on the palate thanks to layers upon layers of spices and sage plus fat and rounded tannins. There's a long finish with a bitter aftertaste, suggesting this could do with another 10 years or more of bottle aging. This is a Mouton I found massive at the time, then elegant and slightly austere years later, but today true to its former glory. Like the amazing 1947, it should not be forgotten.

Jamessuckling.com

98 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe8/7/2014

Freshly picked blackberries turn into minty dark chocolate and oozing caramel with domineering eucalyptus on the nose. It becomes yet more complex on the palate thanks to layers upon layers of spices and sage plus fat and rounded tannins. There's a long finish with a bitter aftertaste, suggesting this could do with another 10 years or more of bottle aging. This is a Mouton I found massive at the time, then elegant and slightly austere years later, but today true to its former glory. Like the amazing 1947, it should not be forgotten.

Wine Spectator

91 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/28/2005

This is outstanding quality, with pretty aromas and flavors of mint, berry and milk chocolate. Full- to medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a silky finish. But I have had better bottles than this. '89/'90 Bordeaux non-blind horizontal. Drink now.

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/1/1997

Considering the vintages and the estate, Mouton's performances in 1989 and 1990 are puzzling. I have tasted these wines multiple times since my last reviews appeared in print. The 1989 Mouton-Rothschild is the superior wine, but in no sense is this a compelling wine if compared to the Moutons produced in 1995, 1986, and 1982. The 1989 displays a dark ruby color that is already beginning to reveal significant lightening at the edge. The bouquet is surprisingly evolved, offering up scents of cedar, sweet black fruits, lead pencil, and toasty oak. This elegant, medium-bodied restrained wine is beautifully made, stylish, and not dissimilar to the 1985. It is an excellent to outstanding Mouton that should be close to full maturity in 4-5 years; it will drink well for 15-20.

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe8/1/1993

The evolution of the 1989 will be fascinating to follow. I say that because the wine, while dark ruby/purple in color, is not opaque. The superb bouquet offers Asian spice, soy sauce, leather, toasty oak, mocha, and blackcurrant scents. Despite the impressive up-front aromatics, the wine appears to lack weight and depth, and the finish is surprisingly brisk given the terrific fragrance. This may turn out to be an outstanding Mouton, but it is comparable to the 1985 rather than the compellingly perfect wines produced in 1986 and 1982. It should be drinkable early, and I suspect most admirers of the flashy, dramatic style of wine made at Mouton will want to consume it between 1996 and 2010. Last tasted, 8/93.

Wine Advocate

88 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/1/1993

The 1989's perfume of oriental spices, soy sauce, leather, toasty oak, mocha, and blackcurrants is amazingly developed for such a young wine. The wine continues to reveal an aggressively woody note and lacks weight and depth in the mouth. Moreover, the finish is surprisingly brisk given the up-front fragrance. This is a wine I overrated from cask. It is comparable stylistically to the ready-to-drink 1985, but lighter and more blatantly oaky. It should be drinkable early and I suspect most admirers of the flashy, dramatic style of wine made at Mouton will want to consume it between now and 2010.

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/1/1992

The evolution of this wine will be fascinating to follow. I say that because the wine, while dark ruby/purple in color, is not as opaque as the 1986 and 1982 were and still are. However, if one were to evaluate the bouquet on a 50-100 point scale, it would probably merit a 96 or 97. Perfumed with oriental spices, soy sauce, leather, toasty oak, mocha, and gobs of blackcurrants, the aromas are amazingly developed for such a young wine. In the mouth, however, despite what is undoubtedly excellent concentration, the wine appears to lack the weight and depth one anticipates in a top vintage such as 1989. Moreover, the finish is surprisingly brisk given the great up-front fragrance. This is undoubtedly an outstanding Mouton, comparable stylistically to the ready-to-drink 1985 rather than the compellingly perfect wines produced in 1986 and 1982. It should be drinkable early and I suspect most admirers of the flashy, dramatic style of wine made at Mouton will want to consume it between 1993 and 2010. Tasted seven times. Consistent notes.