Bordeaux 1989: Tasting in 2002

It is only two years since I last took a look at the 1989 vintage, that time I concentrated on Margaux and the Southern Médoc. This time the focus was on St Julien, a commune generally regarded as having performed very well in this vintage. This tasting seemed to bear this out, and in fact for many years since these wines crossed my path they have stuck in my mind as some of the most enjoyable I have ever had the good fortune to taste.

The vigour, vivacity, energy, call it what you will, these were generally excellent wines that really appealed to my palate which enjoys freshness and definition, found here in plentiful abundance despite the reputation of the vintage as ripe and low in acidity.