Angélus St-Émilion 1989

98 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "Even at 32 years old, the tannins are dense, even chewy, still with so much power. Here you get pure black truffle along with olive paste, raspberry, enveloping violet and peony notes with some white pepper spice. 'Only' a grand cru classé at the time, which shows just how much potential this site always had. Just 50 bottles left at the estate, recorked in 2019. Drink 2021-2038. (Jan 2022)"

97 points Neal Martin (Wine Advocate): "A similar hue to the Chateau L’Angelus 1990 although the nose is more open, fleshier and expressive (though not as well defined.) Smoke, cooked meats, a touch of burning embers, tobacco and a touch of mint. The full-bodied palate is beautifully balanced; more rounded than the 1990, very complex, perhaps more intellectual than the 1990 with raspberry, a touch of lemongrass, spice, touch of bitter chocolate. Less opulence and richness on the finish with a refined, elegant finish. Everything you could really want a Saint Emilion to be. Stunning. Drink 2015-2035. Tasted July 2007. (Dec 2007)"

97 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet France). Almost nothing left at the estate, and hard to find globally. Hard not to gulp down also, as this is delicious. Tobacco, orange peel, baked earth, Christmas spice and sweet raspberry fruits dominate on the opening beats. Melted and silky tannins, we are in full cigar box, leather, sweet liquorice, black truffle and camphor territory. A brilliant wine, at its peak drinking, showcasing seductive tertiary flavours. This was made just a few years after Hubert de Boüard took over full control, and it reflects the fact that something special was happening at Angélus at the time. Drink: 2022-2034. (6/9/22)"

96 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 1989 Angélus is a vintage that I have tasted multiple times from various formats. It remains one of my favorite of that era. Still quite deep in color, it has a glorious, almost hubristic bouquet of layers of lush black cherries, cedar, sage and meat juice aromas as it moves assuredly into its secondary phase. The palate has always been very harmonious and smooth, the tannins finer than preceding vintages. There is lovely grip here, and black truffle and smoky notes appear on the finish. A quite marvelous Château Angélus. Tasted at the château. Drink: 2019-2040. (Sep 2019)"

94 points Robert Parker: "Possibly not showing as well as a bottle I had recently from my own cellar, this particular offering, which was about 50% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot, has a dark plum/purple color, but is still quite youthful. A beautiful sweet blueberry and blackberry-scented nose of olive, licorice and cedar wood is followed by a full-bodied and opulent wine, with hints of espresso roast and chocolate as well. It seemed to gain a lot in the glass, but the astringent tannins in the finish still seem a bit awkward and distracting. I think bottles I’ve had have generally shown better, although this is certainly an exceptional wine. It has just suffered somewhat in comparison with several of the other vintages. Drink now to 2030. (Aug 2015)"

94 points Wine Spectator: "A young, very modern and sleek '89. Inky color. Wonderful aromas of spices, blackberries, cinnamon and vanilla. Full-bodied, with loads of silky tannins and a long, berry-cherry aftertaste. Just how I remember it.--1989 Bordeaux horizontal. Best after 2005. (5/31/99)"