Mouton Rothschild 1989

Freshly picked blackberries turn into minty dark chocolate and oozing caramel with domineering eucalyptus on the nose. It becomes yet more complex on the palate thanks to layers upon layers of spices and sage plus fat and rounded tannins. There’s a long finish with a bitter aftertaste, suggesting this could do with another 10 years or more of bottle aging. This is a Mouton I found massive at the time, then elegant and slightly austere years later, but today true to its former glory. Like the amazing 1947, it should not be forgotten. (6/2016)

The wine was decanted, only to take it off its sediment. The colour is browning a little, with a red oxide overall hue but some ruby at the core. On the nose there is a gorgeously deep, truffle and game perfume, withal rich berry fruit and subtle Sandalwood notes. There’s a suggestion of real intensity. On the palate the wine has plenty of authority. It has a core of spicy tannin and lean, sinewy tannin and acidity, but there’s a richness to both texture and fruit flavour too. Spiced plums, tobacco and lots of concentration. A lovely Mouton, with seemingly time ahead of it too.