1989 Lafleur
By Chateau Lafleur
1989 Lafleur from Chateau Lafleur, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
The notable 1989 vintage from the esteemed terroir of Pomerol stands as a beacon in the history of fine Bordeaux wines, and the 1989 Lafleur from Chateau Lafleur is a paragon of that year's exquisite output. This vintage harmoniously encapsulates the power of Merlot with the finesse of Cabernet Franc in a year that was marked by an ideal climatic condition, nurturing grapes to their zenith of complexity and concentration.
A Vintage of Singular Excellence
The 1989 vintage was extraordinary, punctuated by a warm, dry summer and optimal conditions through the crucial ripening months. Benefiting directly from such a conducive growing season, the 1989 Lafleur from Chateau Lafleur conveys an alluring depth of flavor and integrity. As winemakers recall, the gifts of sun and serenity in 1989 were pivotal in fostering grapes that were both ripe and balanced—traits that are vividly present in the glass.
An Investment-worthy Nectar
On the palate, this exquisite Pomerol seduces with refined cassis notes layered with hints of truffle—an enticing marriage attributed to the wondrous alchemy between fruit and earth. Savvy investors will note how gracefully the tannins have evolved, embracing a silkiness that only tertiary maturity can bestow upon such a noble vintage. Its lingering finish is not solely testament to its crafted elegance but also to its enduring potential within elite oenological portfolios.
The 1989 Lafleur confidently stakes its claim as one of Pomerol's most collectable vintages, compelling aficionados and investors alike to consider its irreplaceable role in any diversified fine wine investment collection.
For connoisseurs discerning enough to assess quality beyond mere reputation, the 1989 Lafleur offers an imbibeable testament to an exceptional year in Bordeaux—a vintage that speaks volumes not just of its celebrated lineage but also of its monumental performance against the canvas of time.
Market price (GBP)
£12,600.00
12x75cl
Highest score
98
POP score
700
Scores and tasting notes
Tasted from an ex-chateau bottle at the Lafleur vertical dinner at Attersee in Austria. The Lafleur 1989 still has a very deep colour. Comparing it directly against the 1988, the aromatics are immediately much more complex, initially broody and biding its time and then unfurling to reveal sous-bois, cepes, sandalwood, black truffles and beef stock. The palate is tannic and assertive having lost none of its intensity over the passing years. There is just enormous weight and dimension, a juggernaut of a Pomerol. This bottle shows hints of dried blood, green tea and dried blood. It fans out wonderfully on the finish
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Sep 2013
The 1989 Lafleur, tasted side by side with the 1990 on two occasions in 2002, plays it closer to the vest. The wine needs far more coaxing to produce the licorice, black cherry liqueur, earth, and truffle notes from the nose. In the mouth, the wine is full-bodied, tannic, backward, and very tightly knit, with mouth-searing levels of tannin and extremely high extract. The tannins are firmer, the fruit seemingly less sweet, but still extremely ripe, and the evolutionary process is far slower in the 1989 than the 1990. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2045. Last tasted, 8/02.
Robert Parker Jr - Bordeaux Book, 4th Edition Jan 2003