Tasting Notes
Vinous 99
The 1989 Petrus vies with Haut-Brion and La Mission as the wine of the vintage. Certainly, in Pomerol, nothing comes close. This is a stunning bottle with ferrous-tinged black fruit, freshly rolled tobacco, Earl Grey and just a hint of wild mint. The palate displays heavenly poise and fine tannins. This Pomerol is effortlessly harmonious yet moves discretely into its secondary phase. The crescendo on the finish is beautifully controlled and much more precise than the 1989 Lafleur. Magnificent. Tasted at the 1989 Bordeaux dinner at 67 Pall Mall.
Anticipated maturity: 2024-2040
Robert Parker 99
Tasted at Benoit restaurant in New York. The Petrus 1989 is a truly awesome Pomerol. Here it has a compelling, multi-dimensional, pristine bouquet with intense red fruit loaded with minerals, faint touches of black truffle and bay leaf, a hint of clove and warm brick. You can feel the warmth of the summer but it possesses quite awe-inspiring delineation. The palate is medium-bodied, the tannins having softened in recent years but still it retains that symmetrical structure and focus that is totally bewitching. Yet it all seems so effortless, so that you almost do not sense that power unless you really focus upon it. The finish fans out with hints of graphite coming through the layers of mellow red and black fruit laced with clove and just a faint hint of peppermint, whilst the finish is virtually endless. This is an extraordinary Petrus. Tasted April 2013.
JancisRobinson.com 18
Very, very deep ruby with some evolution. More reticent on the nose than the 1990. A hint of rhubarb and definitely refreshing aromas on that base of ripeness. Inky dense with very slightly dry tannins on the finish. Definitely dry and burnt quality. Singed. Not (yet?) complete. The finish is a little light and disappointing. Still slightly floral, but those tannins really are very dry and dusty. A bit savage and aggressive. Burly.
Anticipated maturity: 2008-2020
