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Lafite-Rothschild 1989

Château Lafite-Rothschild, Bordeaux, France

Château Lafite-Rothschild
Bordeaux France
  • 96
    Points
  • The 935 best
    of 3 290 954
    wines globally
  • 14 Pros of
    16 recommend
    this wine
1058 96
  • Taste
  • Moment

  • Country ranking ?

    810

  • Producer ranking ?

    31

  • Decanting time

    2h

  • When to drink

    now to 2030

  • Food Pairing

    Lamb Stew with Spring Vegetables

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The Story

El Grand Vin de Château Lafite Rothschild no necesita presentación. Ya en 1815, Abraham Lawton lo había elevado a la cima de su clasificación: “Lo he calificado como aquel de mayor elegancia, delicadeza y fina esencia de los tres [premiers crus]” una calificación posteriormente confirmada en 1855. Para caracterizarlo más allá de las cosechas, presentamos las palabras de un aficionado inspirado: “…suceda lo que suceda, ¡todos los vinos de Châte...

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Average Bottle Price

2023 2020 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2005
624€ +27.3% 490€ -3.9% 510€ -14.7% 598€ +2.9% 581€ -4.9% 611€ -30.0% 873€ +24.9% 699€ +292.7% 178€

This data comes from the FINE Auction Index, a composite of average prices for wines sold at commercial auctions in 20 countries. The average prices from each year have been collected since 1990. This chart plots the index value of the average price of the wines.

Latest Pro-tasting notes

14 tasting notes

Tasting note

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Written Notes

The 1989 Lafite-Rothschild, a wine that I have had several times both from bottle and magnum, is a better wine than the 1990, although I wonder whether its best days are now behind it. There is noticeably more bricking on the rim compared directly with the succeeding vintage. I also notice a touch of VA on this bottle with scents of molasses, cedar and a dab of the old boot polish. I find that the 1989 has more personality than the 1990 Lafite. The palate is supple and rounded in the mouth, a sense of warmth here although not complex and I would prefer more tension on the finish as it delivers allspice, mulberry and sage on the aftertaste. I wonder where this will go? At the moment it is difficult to see: heading down a cul-de-sac or Route 66? Tasted at the Lafite-Rothschild dinner at Amuse Bouche in Hong Kong and then blind at the Lafite-Rothschild 150th anniversary dinner at the property.

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  • 91p

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?

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  • 97p

Magnum. 3 hours in decanter. Ruby. Floral, scented, red berries, cherries, cassis, elegant and refined, touch of cedar and tobacco behind, not the most up front but such layers. Highly seductive. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant, detailed, layered, playful, nuanced, superb balance, layers of fruit and freshness to back it up in such a balanced and refined way, superb length, stunning. Filigree. 100

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  • 100p

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. 18.5/20 Points (04/2011)

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  • 95p

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.

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  • 90p
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Information

Origin

Pauillac, Bordeaux

Vintage Quality

Excellent

Value For Money

Satisfactory

Investment potential

Average

Fake factory

There is a possibility

Glass time

1h
Incorrect Information
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