1989 Château La Fleur de Gay

Given the limited production of less than 1,500 cases per year, this is one of the most difficult Pomerols to obtain. The 1989 performed up to my high expectations. The wine remains backward and unformed, especially for a 1989, but it reveals a nearly opaque purple color, and a sweet, pure nose of black-raspberries, cassis, licorice, violets, and minerals nicely dosed with high quality new oak. There is great fruit on the palate, layers of richness, medium to full body, and fabulous harmony and precision. Given its superb intensity and elegant personality, it is a dazzling example of winemaking. The wine's finish goes on for at least 35-40 seconds. Unlike many 1989 Pomerols, this wine requires 2-3 more years of cellaring; it should keep through the first 15+ years of the next century.

The 1989 La Fleur de Gay marked the first time the château conducted a green harvest in one plot in Toulifaut. Once harvest commenced on September 11th, though the late Noël Raynaud thought that it should have been picked a week earlier. It has a very ripe, sweet nose with touches of fresh prune, sloe, warm gravel and terracotta. This has fine definition, although I find the 1988 more composed. The palate is medium-bodied with very ripe tannins and strong mushroom and undergrowth notes. It is just a little cloying toward the finish. Perhaps this was picked a little too late? Tasted June 2011. Tasting note taken from the Pomerol book by Neal Martin.