Best Red Wine 1989
1989 is all about France, with an emphasis on the Rhone and Bordeaux. On a scale of 1-10, 1989 is a solid 8.5, meaning the best wines of the vintage are truly spectacular but even the “average” wines are very good and well above average. This is also a vintage where a number of Chateaux produced surprise successes, with Clinet, La Conseillante, L’Angelus achieving new heights. If the below list proves too pricey or difficult to find, stick with those regions and you should still find something suitable.
Why it's best:
Petrus is not always worth the price it commands, but 1989 is a vintage where it is possibly worth more than its already hefty price tag. This comes close to the very best Bordeaux can produce in ANY vintage, but is clearly the star of 1989. Expect this to last 40-50 years o... read full review
Why it's a best pick:
Seldom do Rhone wines compete for wine of the vintage, but this is just such a case. It is entirely possible as this vintage puts on years that Beaucastel’s Hommage a Jacques Perrin could close in on or surpass the best of Bordeaux. While this needs a substantial amoun...
read full review
Why it's a best pick:
Many feel this is the greatest Haut Brion of all time. While I have some reservations, largely because it is drinking SO well already, it can’t be argued that this is flawless today. In order to be the greatest of all time I think a wine has to be not only flawless, bu...
read full review
Why it's a best pick:
Each of Guigal’s single-vineyard offerings in 1989 are superlative, but in 1989 it is La Turque that steals the show. Though not as monstrously constituted as some of its 100-point stable-mates, this wine is deceptively dense, though never heavy. Almost all of the oak ...
read full review
Why it's a best pick:
This wine redefines elegance. Wonderfully fresh acidity opens the palate to expansive dark fruits and signature tar, menthol and rose petal flavors. This is not old-world Barolo and those who prefer the old school may find this to be too fleshy or fruity, but none can deny i...
read full review