Wine 1989

Our view on the 1989 vintage

The harvest was precocious for the 1989 wines of Bordeaux: the result is a warm vintage, very tannic and very famous, however fairly low in acidity. The alcoholic richness of the wines (1 to 2 degrees higher than in 1929 and 1961) is due to a quite hot summer. The Grands Crus Classes of the Medoc 1989 produced notable successes (a little less on 1989 Margaux) but the praise went to 1989 Haut Brion, 1989 Mission Haut Brion and 1989 Petrus (all three rated 100/100 Parker) thanks to the fantastic quality of Merlot grapes, whose yields had been controlled. Very good 1989 Pomerol (1989 Conseillante, 1989 Lafleur), more heterogeneous for the 1989 Saint Emilion. In 1989 Bordeaux white wines, 1989 Haut Brion blanc dominates (100/100) followed by 1989 Laville Haut Brion. In Sauternes, 1989 is an exceptional vintage and 1989 Climens, 1989 Coutet, 1989 Rieussec, 1989 Suduiraut, and 1989 Yquem are at their very best. The Burgundy in 1989 did not suffer from drought and the grapes were of a high alcohol potential (13°), and good quality. However, it will have been necessary to limit yields in order to produce great wines (especially in Burgundy red wines). Serious producers have produced ripe, balanced and fleshy red Burgundy wines with supple tannins: those that are still in you cellar are to be consumed. The white wines of Burgundy are very good, with the best alcohol, fruit and dry extracts to ensure their ageing potential. In 1989 Champagne, flowering having been done in 2 stages (because interrupted by a cold wave), and so the harvest took place in 2 stages (4 or 5 weeks apart in September and October), but the 1989 vintage is very good, and powerful Champagne wines have been crafted. Very good vintage for the 1989 Rhone wines, and superb vintage in the 1989 Loire Valley (comparable to the illustrious 1964 vintage in Chinon). Very good 1989 vintage in Alsace. The 1989 vintage is also a benchmark year for Jura yellow wines.