Château Cheval Blanc - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 1989

Si l’adage veut que les grands millésimes soient souvent le fruit d’années chaudes et sèches, 1989 en est une parfaite illustration. Cette année-là, le cumul des précipitations atteignit 450 mm à Saint-Emilion, soit à peine plus de la moitié des normales régionales. L’été fut donc chaud, sans réelle canicule cependant puisque la température maximale enregistrée entre véraison et vendanges fut de 32,5°C. Le cycle de la vigne s’en trouva exceptionnellement précoce, avec un débourrement fin mars, une floraison dans la dernière semaine de mai et une véraison tout début août.

Wine Spectator

91 / 100

par James Suckling le 30/06/2001

Good color. Tanned leather, earth and ripe fruit. Medium- to full-bodied, with herbs and berries. Slight dilution in the center palate.Outstanding, but not a classic Cheval.--Bordeaux retrospective. Drink now.

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

par Robert Parker le 28/02/1997

Since its bottling, the 1989 has frequently been disappointing. In this tasting, it showed better than it has over the last several years. The 1989 is not a great effort for this chateau. The color is already revealing an amber edge, and the lead pencil, cedar, spicy, black fruit, and vanillin-scented nose is more reminiscent of a young Lafite, than the exotic style associated with Cheval Blanc in a hot, dry, ripe year. This medium weight, lightly tannic wine is very approachable. I have rated the 1989 Cheval Blanc consistently between 87 and 89, which is indicative of an excellent wine, but given the vintage terroir, this is not one of the star's of the 1989 vintage. It should continue to drink well for 10-15+ years, as there is moderate tannin in the wine's elegant framework, but readers should not expect any miracles.

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

par Robert Parker le 31/08/1993

The 1989 is an excellent wine, but I had expected more power, depth, and intensity than the wine currently reveals. The big, very precocious, forward bouquet displays aromas of herbs, tobacco, sweet blackcurrants, and the telltale smoky, exotic character that often sets Cheval Blanc apart. The wine tastes like candy, given its sweet palate impression. There is excellent depth, but when you compare the 1989 with the 1990, 1986, 1985, 1983, and 1982 (the best vintages of the eighties), the 1989 does not possess similar concentration or complexity. If the 1989 Cheval Blanc does indeed broaden out and take on an extra dimension of flavor and character, my rating will look ungenerous. Anticipated maturity: Now-2005. Last tasted, 6/93.

Wine Advocate

88 / 100

par Robert Parker le 28/02/1993

The 1989 is an excellent wine, but I had expected more power, depth, and intensity. The big, exotic, precocious, forward bouquet displays aromas of herbs, tobacco, sweet blackcurrants, mint, and the telltale smoky character that sets Cheval Blanc apart. The wine tastes like candy, given its expansive, sweet palate impression. There is excellent depth, but a surprisingly quick finish. Anticipated maturity: Now-2005.

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/1992

The 1989 is an excellent wine, but I had expected more power, depth, and intensity than the wine reveals. The big, exotic, precocious, forward bouquet displays aromas of herbs, tobacco, sweet blackcurrants, mint, and the telltale smoky character that often sets Cheval Blanc apart. In the mouth, the wine tastes like candy, given its expansive, sweet palate impression. There is excellent depth, but a surprisingly quick finish. Compared to the 1983 and 1982 (the two top vintages of the eighties), the 1989 does not possess nearly the concentration of those two vintages. If it indeed broadens out and takes on an extra dimension of flavor and character, my rating my seem ungenerous. Anticipated maturity: 1993-2005. Tasted seven times. Inconsistent notes.