95 1989 Chateau Margaux 12/25/11 ($100)
12.5% alc
Color: Deep garnet with just a touch of onion skin around the rim. Young looking for 22. (3.5) Bouquet: Elegant perfume of black ink, autumn leaves and cassis with a subtle goux de vieux. (3.5) Body: Excellent acidity, fruit and tannins. Light heavyweight. Balanced and elegant with structure. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, step-for-step. (3.5) Finish: Long and persistent, yet very elegant. White truffle nuance lingers. Impressive. (3.5)
Overall: Shows classic Margaux elegance with great complexity. Also has excellent structure for its age and should go another 5-7 years before it starts to decline, maybe longer. Has loads of autumn leaves and black ink complexity complementing elegant cassis fruit with white truffles lingering in the finish. The combination of complexity and smooth, but persistent tannins suggest a wine that could achieve even greater heights, but the tannins are slightly dry, suggesting that it may not have enough fruit to improve. Then again, the fruit may become sweeter as the tannins fade. The victor in the battle between fruit and tannin is often a tough call in old red Bordeaux, but this is drinking great right now, so why chance it. The latest great vintages of first growth Medoc, such as 2009 or 2010, are going for over $1000 a bottle. Oh, the pain!!! FYI, I didn't buy any. (17.0)
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