$1,818.52
Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1989—
$1,818.52
The Story
Bordeaux had not seen such an early vintage since 1893. By the end of August, the grapes were already ripened and wonderfully sweet. We know that one can not call a vintage really great when it has been harvested too early, but this one was appreciated because it appeared to be of a good vintage. Médoc produced colourful wines, which possess excellent richness without being too heavy. Seductive, fleshy and can be compared to the 1982 wines.
97 Points - James Suckling
I have never been a huge fan of this Lafite but it seems to be coming into its own now. It's a wine with a character of cloves and berries with hints plums. It shows loads of potpourri. Roses too. Full and so balanced. Tight and youthful. The winemaker at Lafite says that when he wants to show someone a perfect example of Pauillac this is the Lafite he pours. Maybe he is right?
93 Points - Wine Spectator
Subtle, yet rich and decadent, offering meat, sweet berry and fresh leather on the nose. Full and very soft, with velvety tannins and a long, fruity finish. This has so much ripe fruit. Reserved and firm, this is turning to a very fine and shy Lafite. This is fresh and structured, but still holding back.
90 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
As I suspected, the 1989 and 1990 vintages of Lafite-Rothschild have gone dormant. Both wines were among the more closed, backward examples in my blind tasting. The 1989 Lafite is also outstanding, but closed, with the tannin more elevated, and the wine so stubbornly reticent as to make evaluation almost impossible. Lafite's 1989 was far more easy to taste and understand several years ago. It appears to have gone completely to sleep. This medium ruby-colored, medium-bodied wine reveals new oak in the nose, and a spicy finish. It is a quintessentially elegant, restrained, understated style of Lafite.
Description
Bordeaux had not seen such an early vintage since 1893. By the end of August, the grapes were already ripened and wonderfully sweet. We know that one can not call a vintage really great when it has been harvested too early, but this one was appreciated because it appeared to be of a good vintage. Médoc produced colourful wines, which possess excellent richness without being too heavy. Seductive, fleshy and can be compared to the 1982 wines.
97 Points - James Suckling
I have never been a huge fan of this Lafite but it seems to be coming into its own now. It's a wine with a character of cloves and berries with hints plums. It shows loads of potpourri. Roses too. Full and so balanced. Tight and youthful. The winemaker at Lafite says that when he wants to show someone a perfect example of Pauillac this is the Lafite he pours. Maybe he is right?
93 Points - Wine Spectator
Subtle, yet rich and decadent, offering meat, sweet berry and fresh leather on the nose. Full and very soft, with velvety tannins and a long, fruity finish. This has so much ripe fruit. Reserved and firm, this is turning to a very fine and shy Lafite. This is fresh and structured, but still holding back.
90 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
As I suspected, the 1989 and 1990 vintages of Lafite-Rothschild have gone dormant. Both wines were among the more closed, backward examples in my blind tasting. The 1989 Lafite is also outstanding, but closed, with the tannin more elevated, and the wine so stubbornly reticent as to make evaluation almost impossible. Lafite's 1989 was far more easy to taste and understand several years ago. It appears to have gone completely to sleep. This medium ruby-colored, medium-bodied wine reveals new oak in the nose, and a spicy finish. It is a quintessentially elegant, restrained, understated style of Lafite.
