96 points (18/20) La Revue du Vin de France (Jan 2005).
95 points Gareth Birchley (Decanter): "Along with Leoville Barton 1990 this is one half of one of the great contrasting Bordeaux pairs. The 1989 has always been a more upright wine, slightly strict. The kind of claret that never really takes it coat off but you get the sense that there is a brightly coloured shirt underneath. It is still deep and dark at over 30 years of age. It is initially quite tight and needs well over an hour in the decanter to show its promise. Wonderful breath on the palate. The tannin is well integrated but there is no hiding that this wine is still very young. There is a concentration here that leads me to think that the wine is still not at its peak. It is very enjoyable now with plenty of air but I suspect you will not miss the wine if you still have some in the cellar in two decades time. Drinking Window: 2023-2040. (2/15/23)"
92 points Wine Spectator: "A delicious, well-structured Bordeaux, with plenty of ripe fruit, beautiful berry, green tobacco and cherry character. Full-bodied, adding velvety tannins and a long, caressing finish.--1989 Bordeaux horizontal. Best after 2002. (5/31/99)"
92 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "The 1989 Leoville Barton is deep garnet-brick in color. It jumps from the glass with notes of unsmoked cigars, warm cassis, new leather, and iron ore, followed by hints of dried bay leaves and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied, the palate is intense, spicy, and impactful, delivering loads of mature fruit layers and a lively backbone, with a sturdy, chewy texture and a long, mineral-laced finish. Drink: 2023-2030. (12/20/23)"
5 stars (potential), Michael Broadbent's Pocket Vintage Wine Companion: "Most recently: deep, velvety; perfect, subtly scented, classic nose; excellent fruit and length, still tannic. Somewhat fleshier than usual. Extra dimensions, body, fruit, texture, length. Last tasted March 2007."
18/20 points Clive Coates (The Wines of Bordeaux): "Full, immature colour. Very lovely concentrated Cabernet fruit on the nose. Really profound and classy. Full, rich and profound. Still not quite ready. Splendid dimension. Very Saint-Julien. Fine plus. (2004)"
95 points Gareth Birchley (Decanter): "Along with Leoville Barton 1990 this is one half of one of the great contrasting Bordeaux pairs. The 1989 has always been a more upright wine, slightly strict. The kind of claret that never really takes it coat off but you get the sense that there is a brightly coloured shirt underneath. It is still deep and dark at over 30 years of age. It is initially quite tight and needs well over an hour in the decanter to show its promise. Wonderful breath on the palate. The tannin is well integrated but there is no hiding that this wine is still very young. There is a concentration here that leads me to think that the wine is still not at its peak. It is very enjoyable now with plenty of air but I suspect you will not miss the wine if you still have some in the cellar in two decades time. Drinking Window: 2023-2040. (2/15/23)"
92 points Wine Spectator: "A delicious, well-structured Bordeaux, with plenty of ripe fruit, beautiful berry, green tobacco and cherry character. Full-bodied, adding velvety tannins and a long, caressing finish.--1989 Bordeaux horizontal. Best after 2002. (5/31/99)"
92 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "The 1989 Leoville Barton is deep garnet-brick in color. It jumps from the glass with notes of unsmoked cigars, warm cassis, new leather, and iron ore, followed by hints of dried bay leaves and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied, the palate is intense, spicy, and impactful, delivering loads of mature fruit layers and a lively backbone, with a sturdy, chewy texture and a long, mineral-laced finish. Drink: 2023-2030. (12/20/23)"
5 stars (potential), Michael Broadbent's Pocket Vintage Wine Companion: "Most recently: deep, velvety; perfect, subtly scented, classic nose; excellent fruit and length, still tannic. Somewhat fleshier than usual. Extra dimensions, body, fruit, texture, length. Last tasted March 2007."
18/20 points Clive Coates (The Wines of Bordeaux): "Full, immature colour. Very lovely concentrated Cabernet fruit on the nose. Really profound and classy. Full, rich and profound. Still not quite ready. Splendid dimension. Very Saint-Julien. Fine plus. (2004)"
| Product SKU | 110028 |
| Producer | Léoville-Barton |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| SubRegion | Left Bank |
| Appellation | St-Julien |
| Varietal | Cabernet/Bordeaux Blends |
| Vintage | 1989 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| Ships To |
