Château Margaux is a 1er Cru classified in 1855, produced in the Margaux appellation. The vineyard benefits notably from a terroir characteristic of the appellation. It is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. 1989 was an exceptionally early vintage and truly a must-try of the 80’s. Flowering, ripening and maturation all took place under optimal circumstances. This was a particularly dry year, without any rainy days during the harvest, which took place on September 11th.
The exceptional 1989 vintage has enabled all of its grape varieties to reach an exceptional level of maturity, similar to that of the very famous 1982, although still higher in sugar than the latter. This Château Margaux 1989 is splendid. Rich, complex, and opulent, this wine offers exceptionally soft tannins, due to the great maturity of the grapes and their tannins.
The organoleptic qualities described here are only valid for the year in which this wine was tasted. Naturally, the wine is subject to evolution in the bottle throughout its life, and certain characteristics described in this commentary will no longer apply.
Dwarfed by its younger sibling, the 1990, the 1989 Chateau Margaux has a dark plum/garnet color and a big, sweet nose of new saddle leather, toasty oak, and weedy black cherry and cassis fruit. The wine is medium-bodied, with relatively elevated tannins, outstanding concentration and purity, but a somewhat clipped as well as compressed finish. This certainly outstanding wine has put on a bit of weight in its evolution in the bottle, but it is hardly one of the most profound efforts from Chateau Margaux. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2025. Last tasted, 10/02.