Last November I had a chance to look at, as we say, the first growths from giant bottles, which of course represent red bordeaux 1989s at their most backward. (I think if I had tasted them out of bottles I would probably have given...
1989 first growths, more or less
Monday 21 October 2002
I must say that I think the 1989s are lovely to drink now – and I mean in particular the classed growths just under first rank (Palmer, Cos and Lynch Bages are particularly delicious). Some cru bourgeois are still delicious too, even if most petits chateaux were at their ripe best a few years ago.
Become a member to continue reading
Celebrating 25 years of building the world’s most trusted wine community
In honour of our anniversary, enjoy 25% off all annual and gift memberships for a limited time.
Use code HOLIDAY25 to join our community of wine experts and enthusiasts. Valid through 1 January.
Member
$135
/year
Ideal for wine enthusiasts
- Access 285,679 wine reviews & 15,808 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
Inner Circle
$249
/year
Ideal for collectors
- Access 285,679 wine reviews & 15,808 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
- Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
Professional
$299
/year
For individual wine professionals
- Access 285,679 wine reviews & 15,808 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
- Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
- Commercial use of up to 25 wine reviews & scores for marketing
Business
$399
/year
For companies in the wine trade
- Access 285,679 wine reviews & 15,808 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
- Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
- Commercial use of up to 250 wine reviews & scores for marketing
More Tasting articles
Tasting articles
Gigondas has the upper hand in 2024, but both regions offer a lot of drinking pleasure. Above, the Dentelles de...
Tasting articles
Plenty of drinking pleasure on offer in 2024 – and likely without a long wait. The team at Clos du...
Tasting articles
The fine sparkling-wine producers of Oregon are getting organised. Above, Lytle-Barnett’s Windfall vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon (credit: Lester...
Tasting articles
More than 120 Greek wines tasted in the Peloponnese and in London. This peacock in the grounds of Mercouri estate...
More from JancisRobinson.com
Book reviews
A compelling call to really look at your wine before you drink it, and appreciate the power of colour.
The...
Inside information
Yields are down but pleasure is up in 2024, with ‘drinkability’ the key word. Above, a wintry view Château de...
Nick on restaurants
A daughter revives memories of her parents’ much-loved Chinese restaurants.
The surname Poon has long associations with the world of...
Inside information
The fifth of a new seven-part podcast series giving the definitive story of Jancis’s life and career so far. For...
Free for all
What do you get the wine lover who already has everything? Membership of JancisRobinson.com of course! (And especially now, when...
Free for all
A wide range of delicious reds for drinking and sharing over the holidays. A very much shorter version of this...
Wines of the week
A rare Austrian variety revived and worthy of a place at the table. From €13.15, £20.10, $24.19.
It was pouring...
Book reviews
A scathing take on the wine industry that reminds us to keep asking questions – about wine, and about everything...