Château Margaux - Margaux 1989

Wein Wisser

18 / 20

par René Gabriel le 06/02/2008

Dunkles Purpur, dezent bräunlicher Schimmer im Innern. Süsses Bouquet, sanft trocken, Korinthen, Rauch, Sommertrüffel, Wildleder und Moschus, insgesamt eine heisse Expression. Im Gaumen noch präsente, fleischige Tannine, körniger Fluss, massiver Körper, superbe Konzentration, im Finale lange nachklingend, ein Klassiker.

Wine Spectator

96 / 100

par James Suckling le 28/02/2005

Round and velvety wine, with lovely blackberry and raspberry characer. Full-bodied, with lovely tannins and a long finish. Still tight. Not as big as I remember, but excellent. I have always loved this wine. '89/'90 Bordeaux non-blind horizontal. Best after 2008.

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

par Robert Parker le 01/02/1997

As prodigious as the 1990 is, the 1989 seems to typify so many of the Medoc first-growths in this vintage - excellent, but undistinguished for its reputation. The wine possesses a leathery, oaky nose, medium body, and good ripeness, but next to the 1990, the 1989 is dwarfed by that wine's richness, intensity, and length. The tannins come across as more elevated, as well as slightly greener and tougher. The 1989 may put on more weight and come together, much like the 1985 did after 4-6 years in the bottle, but for now, this wine seems to follow the pattern of many 1989 Medoc first-growths, revealing an unexciting level of quality. Give it 5-6 more years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 20.

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

par Robert Parker le 01/08/1993

The precocious, flattering 1989 exhibits a deep ruby color, a moderately intense bouquet of cassis, oak, and spring flowers, a medium to full-bodied texture, excellent concentration, and an expansive, long, moderately tannic finish. It is reminiscent of the 1985, but lighter and more alcoholic. The new oak continues to taste less well-integrated in the 1989 than in the 1990. Anticipated maturity: 1996-2015. Last tasted, 6/93.

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

par Robert Parker le 01/02/1993

The aggressively oaky 1989 reveals excellent color, deep, ripe aromas of cassis, medium to full body, soft tannins, and low acidity. While forward, it is still capable of 20 or more years of evolution. I do wonder about the overt smell of raw oak in this wine. Anticipated maturity: 1996-2015.

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

par Robert Parker le 01/04/1992

Given all the vital technical statistics concerning Chateau Margaux's 1989, I would have thought it would be a blockbuster in the mold of the other-worldly 1982. It is not. It has the same alcohol content (12.8%) and same pH (3.8), but more tannin. There is not nearly the concentration of fruit exhibited by some of Margaux's greatest wines during the eighties - 1982, 1983, and 1986. This is surprising because the Merlot vineyards were pruned back by 50% in July to avoid overcropping. The Merlot was harvested September 9th and the Cabernet Sauvignon between September 18th and September 25th. Several negociants felt the chateau picked the Merlot too late and the Cabernet too early. However, this wine will undoubtedly turn out to be an outstanding Margaux, better than the 1981, 1984, and 1987, but far behind the wines made in 1982, 1983, 1986, and 1990. I believe it to be inferior to the property's superb 1990, which may be a clone of the legendary 1953. Deep ruby in color (rather than the usual black/purple), with a moderately intense bouquet of cassis, oak, and spring flowers, this precocious, flattering wine has a medium-bodied texture, excellent concentration, and a good rather than stunning, long, moderately tannic finish. It is reminiscent of the 1985, but more alcoholic, not as elegant, and somewhat shorter. In 1989, Palmer far outclasses this wine. Anticipated maturity: 1996-2010. Tasted six times. Consistent notes.