La Dominique St-Emilion 1989

93 points Robert Parker: "It is a toss-up as to whether the 1990 or 1989 is the better vintage for La Dominique. The 1989 might have a bit more structure and definition, but still shares many of the same characteristics that make the 1990 so special. The opaque ruby/purple color is showing a bit of pink at the rim, but the lavishly exotic nose of blackberries, creme de cassis, vanilla, licorice, coffee, and toast soars from the glass. The very viscous, thick, juicy flavors are succulent, full-bodied, and very sweet and expansive. This exuberant yet slightly more structured vintage than the 1990 for La Dominique seems to have only great things ahead of it, but why defer your gratification? (Dec 2002)"

92 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "t had been seven years since I last drank an example of the 1989 Château la Dominique and the wine continues to just cruise along beautifully and gets better each time I revisit it. This was a pretty ripe wine for its day and age, coming in listed at 13.5 percent octane (and probably a few tenths higher than that) and was a very plush and chocolatey wine in its youth. However, the passage of time has allowed some of the puppy fat to melt away here and the wine is really drinking splendidly at thirty-four years of age. The bouquet is deep and complex, delivering scents of black cherries, dark chocolate, menthol, dark soil tones, a discreet framing of toasty oak and plenty of upper register smokiness. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, focused, complex and velvety, with a sappy core of fruit, melted tannins and lovely length and grip on the seamlessly balanced finish. This wine still has miles to go before it sleeps, and if history is any guide, it may well continue improving incrementally for several decades to come. Fine juice. 2024-2055. (Nov/Dec 2023)"

91 points Wine Spectator: "Absolutely delicious. Dark ruby-red color. Fresh blackberry, black truffle and cherry character; tastes like Sachertorte, with chocolate and cherries, velvety tannins and a long finish.--1989 Bordeaux horizontal. (5/31/99)"

91 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "This offered a great nose from the start. Purchased for the princely sum of $15, it’s definitely paid dividends. Black fruit, plums, and fresh herbs. Medium bodied, but mouth filling. Plush, elegant mouth feel. Now fully mature. (Jun 2009)"

90 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 1989 La Dominique is mature in colour with moderate bricking on the rim. The bouquet has probably faded a little in recent years, but is still utterly charming with elegant red fruit, iron rust, truffle and sage, perhaps a little Pomerol like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin. Now at almost 30-years of age it may have dried out somewhat, although it has retained fine balance and freshness, the final third with clove and black pepper coming through. Drink soon if you have any bottle and enjoy. Tasted at the vertical tasting at La Dominique. Drink: 2019-2025. (Apr 2019)"