Tasting Notes:
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? (6/2013)
96 points Decanter
It is starting to show some truffley, savoury maturity now and it is softening through the mid-palate, yet there is still plenty of tannic grip, particularly on the finish, and a freshness that suggests that there is more longevity here than there will be for the 1990 vintage. According to Lafite, this was the earliest harvest since 1893, and among the hottest of the 20th century, along with 1947. I have always thought of 1989 as a somewhat ‘baked’ year, but it seems to be holding very well, particularly compared to the 1990 and 1986 on either side of it. The final blend was 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot. (CC) (3/2022)
96 points Wine Advocate
This particular vintage has cropped up several times in 2012. Here, served in Bordeaux, it has a leafy bouquet with graphite infused blackberry and briary aromas that build beautifully in the glass. It is quintessential Lafite – elegant and refined, with no desire to impress by its power. The palate is supremely well balanced with fine tannins that frame the undergrowth and cedar-tinged black fruit. It is wonderfully composed, a stately Lafite-Rothschild that is at its peak. Beautiful. (NM, Wine Journal) (3/2013)
95 points John Gilman
The 1989 Château Lafite-Rothschild is an outstanding example of the vintage and this is one of my favorite wines from this very, very successful decade at this great property. The bouquet is pure and nicely ripe with the vintage’s generosity, wafting from the glass in a complex blend of cassis, black cherries, tobacco leaf, a beautiful base of gravelly soil, a touch of fresh herbs and a very well-done framing of toasty new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and very suave on the attack, with impeccable focus and balance, a lovely core of black fruit, fine soil signature and a long, seamlessly tannic and complex finish. Just a lovely, lovely vintage of Lafite. (4/2019)
Cult Wines International Notes:
Chateau Lafite Rothschild is one of the most prestigious wine estates in the world and was famously ranked as a Premier Grand Cru Classe in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. Located in the Pauillac appellation of the Medoc, the property has a history of viticulture dating back to at least the 14th century. The estate was acquired by Baron James de Rothschild in 1868 and has remained under the stewardship of the Rothschild family for generations, maintaining a reputation for producing wines of unparalleled elegance, finesse, and longevity.
The 1989 growing season was historically significant for Bordeaux, as it was one of the hottest and driest years of the 20th century. Temperatures throughout the summer were consistently high, leading to one of the earliest harvests in the regions history, with picking at many estates beginning in late August. At Lafite, the weather conditions allowed for exceptional ripeness in the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, which make up the majority of the blend. Despite the intense heat, the winery managed to preserve the signature Pauillac structure and graphite minerality. The resulting wine is celebrated for its concentration and supple tannins, offering a profile of ripe dark fruit, cedar, and tobacco. Now fully mature, the 1989 vintage remains a benchmark for the estate, demonstrating the ability of its gravelly terroir to produce balanced and sophisticated wines even in years of climatic extremes.
Bottle Size:
750 mL
Storage History:
Stored on it’s side in a climate controlled cellar since purchase.
Condition:
Label: Excellent Condition. No Issues.
Capsule: Tight and without corrosion
Fill Level: Excellent
Wine Color/Clarity: Perfect
