Petrus - Pomerol 1989

Wine Spectator

100 / 100

par James Suckling le 31/10/2004

I have always loved this wine. It's a giant, yet also sophisticated and reserved. Still dark-ruby colored, with beautiful aromas of fruits and spices. Full-bodied, with opulent fruit and a depth of flavor that lasts for minutes on the palate. Loads of tobacco and fruit.--Pétrus vertical. Best after 2010.

Wine Advocate

100 / 100

par Robert Parker le 31/08/1998

Multi-millionaire collectors will have fun comparing the 1989 and 1990 Petrus. The 1989 has a slightly more saturated color, and seems more tightly knit both aromatically and on the palate. However, this is splitting hairs, as this is another stunningly opulent, rich, full-bodied, amazingly concentrated, exotic, flamboyant Petrus that remains remarkably youthful, and in need of 7-8 more years of bottle age. Additionally, the tannins are slightly more elevated, at least from a tactile impression. However, the 1989 looks to be another 30-year wine, with extraordinary equilibrium between all of its component parts. An amazing effort! Last tasted 11/97

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/1998

If the image of Petrus needed any resurrection after its excellent but less-than-dazzling performances in 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1986, and 1987, the 1989 is this property's showcase vintage. Christian Moueix has responded to the challenge from a half-dozen or so other Pomerols that have been making noises about dethroning the unofficial King of Pomerol. By cutting off nearly half the crop in July and August, by deciding to pick early (September 5 and 6, and the balance on September 14), and by eliminating anything less than perfect from the final blend, in 1989 Moueix authoritatively demonstrated that only Petrus can out-Petrus itself. This is a compelling wine, resembling the 1982 in many aspects. But it is even more concentrated, as hard as that may be to believe. Moueix thinks it is the finest Petrus since the 1947, and he will get few rebuttals from those who have a chance to taste it. Black/purple, with the intense, dramatic bouquet of superconcentrated blackcurrants, tobacco, tea, and plums, this wine makes a palate impression that is unforgettable. The 1989 exhibits great extraction of fruit, a dense, huge, massive texture, and a fabulous black fruit, spice, and herb-scented nose that is gently touched by aromas of new oak. Almost thick, this wine is also extremely tannic. My guess is that despite its high alcohol, glycerin, and low acidity, it will need at least 10 years after bottling to fully reveal its considerable potential. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2035. Tasted five times. Consistent notes.

Wine Advocate

100 / 100

par Robert Parker le 28/02/1997

How reassuring it is to see this wine, now the darling of international speculators, trophy hunters, et. al. perform so splendidly. My experience with young vintages of Petrus, particularly in the eighties, is that the wines often did not live up to their pre-bottling quality. That has not been the case with the 1989 and 1990. Both wines have consistently provided exhilarating tasting on the few times I have been able to take a look at them. I initially thought the 1990 may have been marginally superior to the 1989, but at present it is a dead heat. Both are enormously jammy, rich, super-concentrated wines that signal a return to the great Petrus of the pre-1976 era. The tannin is well-integrated, but the enormous texture, thickness, and impeccable balance are what make these wines so provocative. The 1989 is more backward and tannic, thus coming across as marginally more structured than the opulent and flashy 1990. Both wines are phenomenally rich and well-endowed, with that sweet inner-core of fruit that possesses layers of intensity. The colors are nearly opaque purple, and the noses are similar, with offerings of jammy black fruits, intertwined with scents of tea, overripe cherries, oranges, and an exotic coconut/caramel component. Both are massive and youthful, with the 1990 clearly more precocious, and for now, the most flattering to drink. The 1989 should hit its peak around 2005 and last for 25-30 years. For readers with the riches of a super-star athlete and, just as importantly, a shrewd wine broker who can locate these wines, these two vintages of Petrus will provide memorable drinking for another three decades. Two prodigious wines!

Wine Advocate

100 / 100

par Robert Parker le 28/02/1996

For readers who prefer young wine (I'm a sucker for these exuberant, grapy, unevolved wines), this was an exciting comparative flight. After a period of uninspiring performances (1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, and 1986), the 1989 Petrus is a reassuringly great example of this estate. It is debatable whether the 1989 or 1990 is the superior wine, but, frankly, billionaire readers could not have enough of either wine in their cellars. They are the two strongest back to back Petrus vintages since 1970 and 1971. The 1989 remains a healthy ruby/purple color and tastes extremely young and unevolved. Sweet black-raspberry and jammy black-cherry notes are intermingled with scents of licorice, truffles, and toasty oak. Extremely full-bodied, marvelously concentrated, yet harmonious and velvety, this is an exquisite Petrus for drinking between 2000-2020. The notes for this wine are taken from the description of Series IV - Flight C of the 1995 tasting conducted in Munich by Helga and Hardy Rodenstock.

Wine Advocate

98 / 100

par Robert Parker le 31/10/1994

By cutting off nearly half the crop in July and August, by deciding to pick early (September 5 and 6, and the balance on September 14), and by eliminating anything less than perfect from the final blend, Christian Moueix authoritatively demonstrated that Petrus would spare no expense to produce a profound wine in 1989. A compelling wine, it resembles the 1982 in many aspects, but is more concentrated. Moueix thinks it is the finest Petrus since the 1947 (I say the 1990 is). Black/purple, with the intense, dramatic bouquet of super-concentrated blackcurrants and plums, this wine makes an unforgettable palate impression. It possesses extraordinary extraction of fruit, a dense, huge, massive texture, and a fabulous black fruit-scented nose that is gently touched by aromas of new oak, mocha, and spice. Almost thick, this wine is also extremely tannic. My guess is that despite its high alcohol and low acidity, it will need at least 10 years after bottling to fully reveal its considerable potential. If you have not realized it by now, Petrus is making a wine to drink later and last longer than any of the first-growths in the Medoc. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2035

Wine Advocate

98 / 100

par Robert Parker le 28/02/1993

The proprietors think the 1989 is the finest Petrus since the 1947. Black/purple, with the intense, dramatic bouquet of super-concentrated blackcurrants, tobacco, tea, and plums, this wine makes a palate impression that is unforgettable. The 1989 exhibits great extraction of fruit, a dense, huge, massive texture, and a fabulous black fruit, spice, and herb-scented nose that is gently touched by aromas of new oak. Almost thick, this wine is also extremely tannic. My guess is that despite its high alcohol, glycerin, and low acidity, it will need at least 10 years after bottling to fully reveal its considerable potential. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2035.