1989 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des Celestins
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Tasting notes
Just classic Bonneau with its peppery, gamey, wild perfume of garrigue, cured meats, and ripe darker fruits, the 1989 Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve Des Celestins is full-bodied and has a deep, rich, powerful mouthfeel, plenty of density and concentration, and a great finish. There was a solid bit of bottle funk with this bottle, but it cleared up nicely with air. I don't think this matches the sheer grandeur of the 1990, but it's a quintessential beauty from this heralded domaine that I wish every reader could taste. Drink bottles over the coming decade. Drink 2026-2036.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
This is the best Bonneau wine I've ever had. Fine, complex, rich, layered nose and the palate is, despite all this richness, incredibly precise. Notes of treacle/molasses but there is vibrant freshness too. Very exciting. What a treat. Trounced the two 1989 Hermitages served immediately beforehand. (JR)
Inching closer and closer to the celestial 1990, is the 1989. This cuvee was fabulous when tasted in Bonneau’s cellars, but it closed down after bottling. Possibly even more powerful and tannic than the 1990, as well as more backward, the 1989 looks to be a great classic. It is a Reserve des Celestins to forget for another 3-8 years. It possesses all the characteristics of the 1990, but everything is packed into a more linear personality. Amazing stuff! Anticipated maturity: 2009-2035. Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173
About the producer
This very old-school property makes the most unique Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The wines are fantastically complex and Boneauu made it as it would have been produced 100 years ago in the commune, using methods that familiar to any of the 11 generations of vignerons in his family who preceded him.
Product details
Grenache/ Garnacha , Syrah / Shiraz, Counoise, Syrah / Shiraz, Vaccarese
Red
Dry