91 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, January 1998

The 1989 tasted California-like in its ripe, sweet, black cherry fruit, nicely-integrated, toasty new oak, and clean, pure winemaking style. A tighter, more compact finish is the result of elevated tannin, but this is an outstanding, rich, medium-weight Las Cases that tastes less well-endowed than I originally predicted. It is built more along the lines of the classy, elegant 1985 than the blockbuster 1982 and 1986. The wine is still youthful, with no amber at the edge of its healthy deep ruby/purple color. It will improve for another 8-12 years, and then plateau, offering very fine drinking over the subsequent two decades. I overrated this wine from cask. As appealing as I still find it, it lacks the concentration and intensity I originally thought it possessed. Last tasted 11/96

91 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, February 1997

My notes on the 1989 and 1990 wines have been consistent over the last three years. The 1989 continues to lose ground, although it is obviously an outstanding wine, while the 1990 continues to escalate in quality. The 1989 tasted California-like in its ripe, sweet, black-cherry fruit, nicely-integrated, toasty new oak, and clean, pure winemaking style. A tighter, more compact finish is the result of elevated tannin, but this is an outstanding, rich, medium-weight Las Cases that tastes less well-endowed than I originally predicted. It is built more along the lines of the classy, elegant 1985 than the blockbuster 1982 and 1986. The wine is still youthful, with no amber at the edge of its healthy deep ruby/purple color. It will improve for another 8-12 years, and then plateau, offering very fine drinking over the subsequent two decades.

93 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, October 1995

This tasting consisted of each of the varietal components of Las Cases, followed by the final blend for Leoville-Las Cases. The Merlot reveals an open-knit, forward bouquet of sweet mocha, coffee, over-ripe black-cherry fruit, and a hint of herbs. Medium-bodied and soft, it is ideal for drinking over the near-term. The Cabernet Franc exhibits a complex, cedary nose, more acidity and tannin, a medium-bodied, vibrant, lively personality, and a surprisingly short finish displaying more acidity than tannin. The outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon is powerful and muscular, with a dark ruby/purple color, an emerging bouquet of cassis, earth, and cedar, full body, and tough hard tannin in the finish. The opaque purple/black-colored Petit Verdot possesses greater fruit than the outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon as well as higher tannin. This is a massive, high acid, gutsy, fleshy wine.

95 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, August 1993

The 1989 resembles a synthesis of the 1982 and 1986 in weight, texture, and character. Delon harvested his Merlot on September 5th and 6th, producing cuvees of Merlot that ranged from 13% to 14.5% alcohol. His Cabernet was harvested the 24th and 25th of September. Fifty percent of the crop was relegated to the second wine, the Clos du Marquis. Opaque deep ruby/purple, this rich wine offers a reserved yet promising bouquet of black and red fruits nicely interspersed with scents of vanillin. Very rich, opulent, long, and mouthfilling, Las Cases is packed with fruit, is medium to full-bodied, and impeccably well-balanced. Although showy and flattering after bottling, the wine has closed down and is now difficult to penetrate and assess. Given its low acidity, it should open and blossom in several years. Anticipated maturity: 1996-2020. Last tasted, 5/93.

95 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, February 1993

Michel Delon has produced an enthralling 1989. In weight, texture, and character it resembles a synthesis of his 1982 and 1986. Opaque deep ruby/purple (one of the thickest wines in color), this superbly extracted wine has an awesome bouquet of black and red fruits nicely interspersed with scents of vanillin. Rich, opulent, long, and mouthfilling, Las Cases is packed with fruit, is large-framed, yet astonishingly well-balanced. Anticipated maturity: 1998-2020.

95 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, April 1992

Michel Delon has produced an enthralling 1989 that in weight, texture, and character resembles a synthesis of his 1982 and 1986. Delon harvested his Merlot on September 5th and 6th, producing cuvees of Merlot that ranged from 13% to 14.5% alcohol. His Cabernet was harvested the 24th and 25th of September. Fifty percent of the crop was relegated to the second wine, the Clos du Marquis. In 1990, he demoted 63% of his production into the second wine. Opaque deep ruby/purple (one of the thickest wines in color), this superbly extracted wine has an awesome bouquet of black and red fruits nicely interspersed with scents of vanillin. Rich, opulent, long, and mouthfilling, Las Cases is packed with fruit, is large-framed, yet astonishingly well-balanced. The feel of it in the mouth and the approximately one minute finish make it taste surprisingly similar to the perfect 1982. For me, it is the second best Las Cases of the eighties, an unbelievably historic decade for this estate. Anticipated maturity: 1996-2020. Tasted four times. Consistent notes.

90 points,

Wine Spectator, May 1999

Very fresh aromas of dried cherries, blackberries and wet earth. Full-bodied, with extremely well-integrated, silky tannins and a fresh blackberry and mint aftertaste. Slightly dry and funky on the finish. Try it a bit later. A Las Cases that's rather rustic.--1989 Bordeaux horizontal. Best after 2003. (JS)

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