1989 Leoville Poyferre
By Chateau Leoville Poyferre
1989 Leoville Poyferre from Chateau Leoville Poyferre, St-Julien, Bordeaux
In the annals of fine Bordeaux vintages, the 1989 Leoville Poyferre from Chateau Leoville Poyferre emerges as a triumph in enological craftsmanship. This formidable year stands as a touchstone for investors and connoisseurs alike, epitomizing the pedigree of St-Julien's prestigious terroir.
Precocious Perfection: A Vintage Ahead of Its Time
The 1989 vintage was coaxed to maturity under auspicious climatic conditions, yielding wines with an immediate allure yet possessing an underpinning structure that presaged profound longevity. The 1989 Leoville Poyferre is symptomatic of such beneficence – a wine that embodied precocity and complexity from its nascent moments within the bottle.
Distinctive Qualities of an Illustrious Vintage
A tasting of this exquisite claret reveals layers of seductive cassis and blackberry fruits melded seamlessly with nuanced truffles and tobacco undertones, which herald the concomitant influence of both time and origin. The palate is caressed by mature tannins, at once opulent and refined, culminating in an undeniably balanced finish. Together, these elements elucidate why this vintage has become a cornerstone for astute wine investment portfolios.
Indeed, the 1989 vintage interplays with the quintessential characteristics of St-Julien – harnessing intensity without forsaking elegance – setting it apart as one of those rare halcyon years where everything in nature conspired to perfection.
The Zenith of Investment Worthy Bordeaux
As we appraise this remarkably consistent offering from Chateau Leoville Poyferre, its current standing within the market is anything but happenstance. The 1989 Leoville Poyferre symbolizes the zenith of wines that are not only remarkable to drink but also serve as blue-chip assets to those who judiciously include them in their investment folios.
The contemplation of this venerable vintage is indeed an investment in sensory enlightenment and financial perspicacity alike. A cellar adorned with the 1989 Leoville Poyferre is privy to a paragon of vinous excellence that has stood unwavering through decades; a palatable asset that eloquently speaks the language of both passion and providence.
Market price (GBP)
£1,490.00
12x75cl
Highest score
95
POP score
99.33
Scores and tasting notes
A deeper colour compared to the '88 Poyferre with more maturity on the rim. But it has a glorious nose that leaps from the glass: raspberry, sea salt, a touch of game and dried blood all with marvellous definition. The palate is full-bodied, layers of black fruits laced with tobacco, well-judged acidity with a dense, slightly gamey, brambly finish with great persistency and vigour. Still not quite reached its plateau yet...but nearly there! A ridiculously fine 1989 drink now, but with a long future. Drink now-2030 Tasted March 2008.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal May 2008
This wine has a dark ruby color, sweet notes of cola, black currants, earth, herbs, and vanilla. The wine is medium-bodied, with some noticeable tough tannin and a lean, angular finish. The wine’s aromatics show far more evolution than the flavors. Nevertheless, this wine pales in comparison with the sensational 1990 and the other vintages of Poyferre from the mid-nineties onward. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2018. Last tasted, 10/02.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 31 December 2002