The 1989 Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits a black-cherry, smoke, herb, and toasty, vanillin-scented bouquet. The dense purple color suggests exceptional ripeness and richness. In the mouth, it is even more tannic and muscular than the 1990. This exceptionally young, promising, and backward wine may ultimately merit a score several points higher when the wine reaches its apogee. The impressive extract levels clearly stand up to the wine's tannins. Patrick Brunel feels the 1989 and 1990 are the finest de la Gardines made since their exceptional 1952, which I had an opportunity to taste 10 years ago. At that time it was still an extraordinary mouthful of wine.
Robert Parker
90