Pichon-Longueville Lalande Pauillac 1989

96 points (18/20) La Revue du Vin de France (Jan 2005).

95 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "This most recent bottle of the 1989 Pichon-Lalande was showing its exotic side from its high percentage of merlot in the blend, with notes of menthol and a bit of mintiness convincing me that I was tasting an example of Cheval Blanc of comparable age (as the wine was served double blind). This is a great vintage for Pichon-Lalande and the wine is just starting to reach its apogee of peak maturity, though a few more years in the cellar to allow a bit more tannin to fall away would not be remiss. The simply stunning nose delivers a gorgeous blend of sweet dark berries, cigar smoke, plenty of menthol, coffee bean, a fine base of dark soil tones, a dollop of mint and a judicious framing of cedar. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and very pure, with lovely sappiness at the core, fine focus and complexity and still a bit of backend tannin wishing for a couple more years to resolve more completely. The finish is very, very long and the wine shows a beautiful synthesis of the depth of fruit of the vintage and the classical refinement of Pichon-Lalande at its best. 2017-2050. (Mar/Apr 2019)"

95 points Falstaff: "Strong, dark ruby garnet, ochre rim. Ripe, sweet plum fruit on the nose, vanilla, fine cookie, a little powdered plum. Juicy on the palate, complex texture, ripe fig fruit, opulent, rather subtle acidity structure, easy to drink, round and fruity, silky tannins, offers great drinking pleasure. (11/21/14)"

94 points Wine Spectator: "Voluptuous and velvety. Dark ruby color. Intense aromas of blackberries, fresh mushrooms and dried herbs. Full-bodied, with loads of ripe fruit and velvety tannins. A big, youthful wine that needs time to mellow.--1989 Bordeaux horizontal. (5/31/99)"

94 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc). Soft truffle and tobacco, this was a hot year that comes through in its exotic cinammon spice flavours, and its freshly cut rosemary and sage herbs that sit against bilberry and black cherry fruits. There are still tannins here, now fully integrated, and a kick of fresh acidity that adds a mouthwatering feel from the mid palate. Softens on the finish, and this is just beginning to dip from its perfect drinking window. Drink: 2021-2030. Alcohol 13%. (7/9/21)"

93.5 points CellarTracker.com community score.

93 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Full, deep red. Flamboyant aromas of cassis, currant leaf, tobacco, herbs and animal fur. Sweet, lush and lively; already showing lovely inner-mouth aromatic character. Finishes long, strong and lively, with firm tannins and slow-mounting persistence. Earlier bottles of this wine appeared to be a bit more exotic, even slightly animal, but this offers a lovely combination of purity and sheer ripeness. Drink over the next 15 years. (Jul/Aug 2002)"

93 points Jeb Dunnuck: "A beautifully mature, evolved, complex and graceful wine, the 1989 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse De Lalande is still ruby-hued, with just light bricking at the edges. The aromatics are classic Pauillac, with ample mature red and black fruits as well as lead pencil, cedary herbs, forest floor, and spicy, leathery nuances. Medium-bodied, soft, and elegant on the palate, it's in a great spot today. I don't see it getting any better, but it certainly has another decade of prime drinking. Drink: 2023-2033. (5/22/23)"

5 stars (potential), Michael Broadbent's Pocket Vintage Wine Companion: "Deep, still youthful; very good, rich yet crisp fruit, Pauillac iron; fleshy, even plump, soft tannins yet very dry finish. Last tasted April 2006. Now-2015."

18/20 points The World of Fine Wine: "Powerful but harmonious. Deep, dark color, with brick at the rim. Dense, concentrated nose. Aromatically sober but with loads of fruit and energy. Violet and cassis notes. The palate is opulent and richly constituted but very fresh. Sumptuous fruit disguises a firm tannic frame. Wonderful now. Drink to 2020. (Issue #34; 2011)"