One of the vintage's most notable sleepers as well as a wine to but by the case the 1989 is the most massive wine I tasted from this vintage in St.-Emilion. They harvested late producing Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes that reached 14% alcohol naturally. The frightening thing is that despite an alcohol level that would make a grower in Chateauneuf du Pape jump with joy there is not a trace of hotness in the wine's nose flavors or finish largely because of the extraordinary intensity and concentration. In 1989 the wine was stored in 100% new oak and that plus its stupendous levels of extract make for one of the most dramatic and flamboyant wines of St.-Emilion. This is an example of a winemaker taking the ultimate risk and pulling it off with a breathtaking wine of great flavor dimension complexity and aging potential. This awesome effort from La Dominique may ultimately surpass even their 1982 and 1971. Anticipated maturity: 1996-2008. Tasted six times. Consistent notes.</P>

Absolutely delicious. Dark ruby-red color. Fresh blackberry black truffle and cherry character; tastes like Sachertorte with chocolate and cherries velvety tannins and a long finish.--1989 Bordeaux horizontal. Drink now through 2010. (JS)