1989 Grand Puy Lacoste
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Tasting notes
The 1989 Grand-Puy-Lacoste has always lain in the shadow of the 1990. There is something atypical about this vintage. It has an uncharacteristically high-toned bouquet with black cherries, black olives, and plenty of mint (maybe too much so that it veers toward spearmint). The palate is medium-bodied with graphite-infused black fruit. It is redeemed by GPL's tendency towards wonderful symmetry with a hint of seaweed on the finish. It's enjoyable, but there's a reason it lies in the shadow of the 1990. Tasted at the 1989 dinner at Piccolino in London.
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More reviews and scores
The 1989 Grand Puy-Lacoste is a vintage that is not seen so often these days, long overshadowed by the 1990. Now at 30 years of age, it has a lovely, elegant but intense bouquet of blackberry, black olive, cedar and a touch of mint, all beautifully defined and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and gentle grip, masculine and a little austere in style but not astringent. There is a light seaweed note toward the finish. This is an archetypal classic Pauillac. Tasted from an ex-cellar bottle at the château .
Virtually identical paleish ruby to the 1990 served alongside. This more delicate, transparent wine went better with the turbot than the richer, heavier 1990. Sweet and delicate and fully evolved, a little dusty on the end. Still very fresh. Unlike the 1990 it does not really taste like the product of a very hot summer. Drinking well now. (JR)
About the producer
In 1978 the Borie family took over Grand-Puy-Lacoste and Xavier Borie has been making exceptional wines here ever since. With 58 hectares of vines around the château, this is a wine with real Pauillac style.