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Chateauneuf du Pape 1989

As with the Northern Rhône and Bordeaux, the three vintages of 1988, 1989 and 1990 were all very successful. It is 1989 and 1990 that vie for first place of the three. The 1989 vintage was an extremely hot and dry year - the conditions meriting the description of drought perhaps. The vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pape and Gigondas did well to survive the stress of extreme heat and reduced water supply.

Perfect harvest conditions in Chateauneuf du Pape made for and excellent vintage, which has been responsible for a swathe of high quality, rich, deeply coloured wines. (10/7/00)

Chateauneuf du Pape 1989 - Tasting Notes

Tasted in July 2000. Click to locate stockists:

Domaine Raymond Usseglio Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc 1996: A pale lemon yellow. On the nose this wine gives off hints of lemony acidity, but with a fat richness, lanolin and lemon curd. Quite alcoholic on the palate, full bodied, smoky, fat and rich. Develops some sweaty aromas with time in the glass. Good length. 16.5/20

Domaine Vieux Lazarets Les Couversets Chateauneuf du Pape 1989: Pale and tawny colour. Volatile acidity on the nose. Some fruit and oak. Nice liquorice aromas develop with aeration. Soft, alcoholic palate. Spicy oak, pleasant fruit, touch of VA again. Becomes more approachable with time in the glass. 13.5/20

Domaine Font de Michelle Chateauneuf du Pape 1989: A darker wine. Hot, spicy nose, with an element of smoke. Lots of fruit and some oak. On the palate some good fruit, but marred by a harsh, bitter finish. This softens with aeration, and more red fruit flavours appear. 14/20

Domaine Durieu Chateauneuf du Pape 1989: Dark and rich looking wine. Lovely, upfront nose, quite perfumed, and full of fruit. The palate is tannic, with oak and spicy fruit. Medium-full bodied. Finishes well. This wine is alive and kicking. 16.5/20

Chateau Fortia Chateauneuf du Pape 1989: Another dark wine. Excellent nose of ground coffee, spices, leather and fruit. A full, rounded alcoholic body, with good fruit, cloves and sweet toffee flavours. Lovely finish. 16.5/20

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Chateauneuf du Pape 1989: Deep mahogany red. Rich fruit on the nose, with spicy cloves. Tannic palate, but carrying loads of fruit and sweet toffee oak. Full bodied, spicy. Warming alcoholic finish. Excellent length. 18/20

Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape 1989: Bags of fruit on the nose. Tannic palate, awash with fruit, not showing its age at all. Some spicy notes. Quite alcoholic. Finishes well with good length. This wine still has great potential. 17.5+/20

Domaine du Pégau Chateauneuf du Pape 1989: Rubbery note on the nose mars the overall impression of this wine, but it is still superb. Loads of fruit on the palate, with a soft, silky textured that is so appealing. Less aggressive alcohol than the other wines, impeccable balance, finishes just beautifully. 18/20

Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape 1989: A soft, forward fruity nose. Raspberry and vanilla notes. Lower in acids on the palate, nice alcohol, overall much more approachable than the other wines, but doesn't have their structure. Finishes well. 17/20