France Bordeaux Pauillac Château Lafite RothschildLafite Rothschild

1989 Lafite Rothschild

Lafite Rothschild

94Average Score

Bordeaux / France

Red

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. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2025. Feb 1997, www.robertparker.com

Robert Parker Score: 90/100

Bts	-	0 Immediate \| 1 Marketplace		£620.00
Mags	-	0 Immediate \| 1 Marketplace		£1,237.00
Bts	-	0 Immediate \| 1 Marketplace	Duty Paid	£620.00

Scores + Notes

Average Score

Tasted at Bordeaux Index’s Christmas lunch. At 21-years of age, the Lafite-Rothschild ’89 has a lovely bouquet, quintessential Pauillac with cedar, pencil shavings, bay leaf and tar. The aromatics are very well-defined and melt nicely with aeration though all the time remaining well-knit. The palate is medium-bodied with a svelte, quite seductive entry with hints of blackcurrant wine gums, wild strawberry, cedar and graphite. It has impressive weight in the mouth with a strident, graphite and dried herb finish that lingers wonderful. Simply a wonderful Pauillac at the peak of its powers. Drink now-2025. Tasted December 2010. Neal Martin, eRobertParker.com

Neal MartinScore: 96/100

On being poured there was real tension in the glass, I felt, between Lafite's delicate style and the big, ripe character of this vintage, warmed as it was by a particularly hot summer, the summer of the bicentenary of the French revolution. There was a slightly burnt note and quite a bit of tannin on the finish. But then it really mellowed in the glass and became super voluptuous. And fragrant. But edgier than the 1997. Unusually spicy for Lafite and wonderfully persistent. These bottles had been bought in 1996 for just £55 each (which probably seemed iniquitous at the time). The 1989 Lafite is now trading at £800 a bottle, a surprisingly low premium on the 1997. Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com

Jancis Robinson MWScore: 18.5/20

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. I wouldn't wait, though.¿'89/'99 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2009). Drink now. James Suckling, Wine Spectator 2010

Wine SpectatorScore: 93/100

Robert ParkerScore: 90/100

About The Producer

The producer

Château Lafite Rothschild

Château Lafite Rothschild is one of the most famous wines in Bordeaux, if not the world. It has captured the attention and imagination of wine lovers everywhere for its finesse and elegant style. Being one of the three of the five First Growths situated in the Pauillac appellation, Château Lafite Rothschild sits at the far north of the appellation bordering Saint-Estèphe and the vineyards of Château Cos d’Estournel with Château Mouton Rothschild to its south. It is undoubtedly today’s most famous and collectable of the First Growths due to an avid following of collectors from all over the world. Its popularity in the Far East has only escalated its collectability. 

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Product Details

Country

France

Region

Bordeaux

Sub-region

Pauillac

Colour

Red

Taste

Dry

Alcohol %

Product Type

Still wine

Product Subtype

Drinking Window