1989 Leoville Barton
By Chateau Leoville Barton
1989 Leoville Barton from Chateau Leoville Barton, St-Julien, Bordeaux
Reflecting on the exceptional 1989 Bordeaux vintage, the 1989 Leoville Barton from Chateau Leoville Barton emerges as a quintessential representative of St-Julien's brilliance for discerning investors and connoisseurs. With decades of experience in the realm of fine wines, I've come to identify this particular year as hallmarking not just a great wine but a stirring narrative of climatic and oenological harmony.
Elegance in Age: An Unassailable Investment Proposition
As we broach the subject of investment-grade wines, it is paramount to underscore the immeasurable finesse that time bestows upon a wine such as the 1989 Leoville Barton. Now in a magnificent stage of evolution, it offers layers of complexity with an impeccable structure that exhorts patience from its collectors.
A Vintage Distinguished by Nature
The season of 1989 was blessed with optimal conditions. A warm spring provided an excellent start, leading into a summer characterised by high temperatures and timely rainfalls. This amalgamation of climate factors ensured ripe grapes, full-bodied flavours, and robust tannins—an astounding feat for this estate's traditionally more medium-bodied expression.
Its present bouquet boasts rich blackcurrant and cedar notes with an inherited undercurrent of complexity courtesy of its age—traces of tobacco and leather emerge vigorously on the palate, intertwined with savoury spices brought forth by immaculate oak ageing. What astounds most is the wine's enduring freshness; a testament to its well-integrated acidity and finely woven structure.
In financial terms, fine wine investors will appreciate not only the notable pedigree of Chateau Leoville Barton but also the 1989 vintage's exceptional status within their portfolios. Such inherent quality and stately maturity make it one of the most investible options from this esteemed producer.
Savouring Investment Evolution
The journey of 1989 Leoville Barton has been one akin to witnessing a regal procession through time. Its unwavering promise at nascent stages has matured into a profound embodiment of Bordeaux finesse—making it one of St-Julien's treasures. For investors, this vintage marks a pinnacle of collectability, embodying both the eminence of Chateau Leoville Barton and the fortuity of nature's kindness in 1989—a conjunction rare enough to warrant sincere consideration for any serious collection.
Current market price
$2,450.00
12x75cl
Highest score
91
POP score
133.64
Scores and tasting notes
The bouquet does not quite have the vivacity, the chutzpah of the 1990 Barton, a little more introverted with notes of cigar box, earth, wet sand and chestnut. The palate is medium-bodied, quite elegant, refined and harmonious with a firm mid-palate. Cedar, sandalwood and dried herbs. Unlike the 1990, the 1989 has a crescendo of flavours towards the finish that demonstrates great structure and persistency. Austere, conservative but classy, there is a chance that the ’89 may outlast the ’90. Drink now-2025.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Nov 2009
It has been a little while since I tasted the Château Léoville-Barton 1989. Now at 25 years of age, it has an open bouquet with vestiges of brambly red fruit, scorched earth and chestnut, touches of fireside hearth developing with time. There is something almost comforting about Anthony Barton's wine, its familiarity putting you at ease. The palate is medium-bodied with tannins that have softened in recent years and it gently builds to a saline, rather austere finish. Gentle, but classy Saint Julien, you can enjoy this for another 15 years without worry. Tasted June 2014.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 28 July 2016
This wine continues to lose out to its younger sibling, the 1990. Aromatically, the dark garnet (some amber is beginning to creep in at the edge) 1989 seems fully mature until it hits the palate. There is big, spicy, cedary, sweet cherry and black currant fruit, along with some tobacco notes in the impressive aromatics. On the palate, the wine is more narrowly constructed, medium-bodied, with excellent richness on the attack but then some relatively dry, dusty tannins in the finish. This kind of performance tends to suggest the wine needs to be drunk sooner rather than later. Anticipated maturity: Now-2016. Last tasted, 9/01.
Robert Parker Jr - Bordeaux Book, 4th Edition Jan 2003