WCC 1989 BORDEAUX
at Springwater Bistro, Saratoga Springs, NY (9/2/2004)
The WCC met at Springwater Bistro in Saratoga Springs, NY, to taste 1989 red Bordeaux.
Most of the wines were provided by one generous member of our group.
All wines were decanted between 4 and 5pm that day. The tasting began about 8pm.
The wines were served sighted. ;) My scores and notes are below.
The food at Springwater is fabulous. It is one of the best restaurants in the greater Albany area.
[Sadly closed in 2009.]
Flight #1
1989 Clos des Jacobins, St Emilion (88pts)
Nice woodsy nose. Lovely, mature, slightly tart.
1989 Château Canon, St Emilion (86pts)
No nose. Woodsy, oaky middle. A touch of varnish on the finish.
1989 Château La Dominique, St Emilion (90pts)
Some nice cherry liqueur in the nose. Lots of cherry and oak in the middle but only cherry in the long finish.
1989 Château Pavie, St Emilion (82pts)
Mushroom nose. No fruit. Drying tannins in the finish. A goner!
Flight #2
1989 Château Cos d'Estournel, St Estephe (92pts)
No nose. Full bodied, rich, tannic. Meaty licorice. Thicker than anything in the first flight. Tons of licorice!
May improve for several years more.
1989 Domaine de Chevalier, Pessac Leognan (88?)
Tannic, woodsy, very rough on the tongue. Could use 5 more years for the tannins to soften, but will the fruit last?
1989 Château Ducru Beaucaillou, St. Julien (94)
Cedar, currant nose. Tons of minerals and fruit. THIS is Bordeaux! Great length. Singing now!
1989 Château Leoville-Barton, St. Julien (92)
Red fruit and licorice nose. Rich and full in the mouth. Lots of minerals. Tasty!
Flight #3
1989 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Pauillac (94)
Big cedar nose. Thick and delicious with a medium long finish.
1989 Château Pontet-Canet, Pauillac (88?)
Mild tobacco nose. A little thin in the middle. Not much finish. Has an unpleasant streak which is masked by short ribs of beef.
1989 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac (91)
Autumnal cedar, tobacco nose. Thick, woody. Not much fruit. 2nd WOTN for the group, but not me.
1989 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron, Pauillac (95)
Red currant nose. Thick and sweet with excellent length. Cassis forever!!!
Flight #4
1989 Château Lynch Bages, Pauillac (93-95)
No nose, backward, tannic. Really needs more time (at least 5 years), but shows all it's got with the short ribs of beef!
Wow! 96pts with the short ribs.
1989 Château Palmer, Margaux (97)
Glorious, classic Margaux nose. This is Bordeaux heaven. Full and rich, but elegant and balanced.
This is my Bordeaux ideal. WOTN for me and the group.
1989 Château Cheval Blanc, St. Emilion (92)
Tannic, tons of minerals, muted fruit. Lovely and sweet with the short ribs. Probably needs 5-10 years more.
3rd WOTN for the group.
1989 Château Haut Brion, Pessac Leognan (93)
Loosing its fruit? No, still opening up? Very good, but not great like a bottle maybe 5 years ago. Disappointing.
Previously one of my all time favorite Bordeaux. :(
Dessert
1979 Château d'Yquem (93)
Cinnamon and brown sugar. Balanced and lovely.
All original content © Ken Vastola