100 Da Robert Parker
A spectacular wine that only goes from strength to strength, and which ranks among the pinnacles of my birth year vintage, the 1989 Haut-Brion wafts from the glass with a rich bouquet of blackberries, blackcurrants, cigar wrapper, loamy soil, black truffle, burning embers and vine smoke. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, it's sumptuous and dramatic, with huge reserves of fruit that are complemented by carnal, savory nuances and framed by melting tannins and ripe acids. Concluding with a long, resonant finish, the only criticism one can make is that a 750-milliliter bottle simply isn't enough.
100 Da James Suckling
This continues to be a perfect wine with a beautiful, dense character of tobacco and sweet fruits. Chocolate, toasted walnuts and flowers here too. It's full-bodied with velvety tannins. Lasts for minutes on the palate.
100 Da Wine Spectator
Fabulous aromas of raspberries, minerals, tobaccco, chocolate. Complex. Full-bodied, with big velvety tannins but elegant and fabulous. Wonderful sweetness. Goes on and on. This has been 100 points since I first tasted it in barrel. It may age forever, but so good now. Love it. '89/'90 Bordeaux non-blind horizontal. Drink now. 12,000 cases made. JS
20 Da Rene Gabriel
14: Zum Geburtstagsjass von André Kunz. Er war sofort da und duftete halb nach grossem Pessac, der Rest war riesengrosser Haut-Brion und auch etwas Colheita Port (Kaffee- und Pflaumen). (20/20). 14: Sehr dunkles Weinrot, dichte Mitte, am Rand fein ziegelrote Nuancen. Intensives, mineralisches Bouquet, viel Teer, Lakritze, Korinthen, Trüffel, schwarze Oliven, dunkles Edelholz, Nusslikör, Orangeat, und viele Kräuternuancen. Man spürt bereits in der Nase die fraglose Jahrhundertgrösse. Im Gaumen satt, momentan wieder etwa re-konzentriert, was man an seiner wieder zulegenden Adstringenz merkt. Das Finale ist extrem lange anhaltend und macht eine katapultartige Länge mit gewaltigem Aromendruck. Also hat er sich momentan wieder etwas verschlossen. Das ist ein gutes Zeichen, weil er so seine langatmige Grösse dokumentiert. (20/20). 15: Nach ein paar leidigen Burgunderversuchen, kam mir diese Flasche beim Suchen nach irgendwetwas sehr gutem fast förmlich entgegen. Ohne zu Dekantieren ins Glas eingeschenkt und von der ersten Sekunde an ausgeflippt. Er hat nichts an Frische und Faszination verloren. Nach immerhin 25 Jahren in der Flasche!
100 Da Vinous
The bottle of 1989 Haut-Brion poured in Hong Kong is unquestionably the best I have encountered in recent years. Youthful in hue, it has a breathtaking bouquet with stunning definition, a mixture of shimmering black fruit, crushed stone, black truffle and graphite. The palate is multi-faceted with unerring complexity, yet the freshness, frisson and energy make this a wonderful wine to drink. This has a life-affirming symmetry and a peacock's tail on the finish that leaves you struck with awe. It is one of the best examples of more than two dozen over the years. Tasted at Woo Cheong Tea House
20 Da Rene Gabriel
14: Zum Geburtstagsjass von André Kunz. Er war sofort da und duftete halb nach grossem Pessac, der Rest war riesengrosser Haut-Brion und auch etwas Colheita Port (Kaffee- und Pflaumen). (20/20). 14: Sehr dunkles Weinrot, dichte Mitte, am Rand fein ziegelrote Nuancen. Intensives, mineralisches Bouquet, viel Teer, Lakritze, Korinthen, Trüffel, schwarze Oliven, dunkles Edelholz, Nusslikör, Orangeat, und viele Kräuternuancen. Man spürt bereits in der Nase die fraglose Jahrhundertgrösse. Im Gaumen satt, momentan wieder etwa re-konzentriert, was man an seiner wieder zulegenden Adstringenz merkt. Das Finale ist extrem lange anhaltend und macht eine katapultartige Länge mit gewaltigem Aromendruck. Also hat er sich momentan wieder etwas verschlossen. Das ist ein gutes Zeichen, weil er so seine langatmige Grösse dokumentiert. (20/20). 15: Nach ein paar leidigen Burgunderversuchen, kam mir diese Flasche beim Suchen nach irgendwetwas sehr gutem fast förmlich entgegen. Ohne zu Dekantieren ins Glas eingeschenkt und von der ersten Sekunde an ausgeflippt. Er hat nichts an Frische und Faszination verloren. Nach immerhin 25 Jahren in der Flasche!
100 Da Wine Spectator
Fabulous aromas of raspberries, minerals, tobaccco, chocolate. Complex. Full-bodied, with big velvety tannins but elegant and fabulous. Wonderful sweetness. Goes on and on. This has been 100 points since I first tasted it in barrel. It may age forever, but so good now. Love it. '89/'90 Bordeaux non-blind horizontal. Drink now. 12,000 cases made. JS
100 Da Robert Parker
A spectacular wine that only goes from strength to strength, and which ranks among the pinnacles of my birth year vintage, the 1989 Haut-Brion wafts from the glass with a rich bouquet of blackberries, blackcurrants, cigar wrapper, loamy soil, black truffle, burning embers and vine smoke. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, it's sumptuous and dramatic, with huge reserves of fruit that are complemented by carnal, savory nuances and framed by melting tannins and ripe acids. Concluding with a long, resonant finish, the only criticism one can make is that a 750-milliliter bottle simply isn't enough.
100 Da James Sukling
This continues to be a perfect wine with a beautiful, dense character of tobacco and sweet fruits. Chocolate, toasted walnuts and flowers here too. It's full-bodied with velvety tannins. Lasts for minutes on the palate.
A spectacular wine that only goes from strength to strength, and which ranks among the pinnacles of my birth year vintage, the 1989 Haut-Brion wafts from the glass with a rich bouquet of blackberries, blackcurrants, cigar wrapper, loamy soil, black truffle, burning embers and vine smoke. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, it's sumptuous and dramatic, with huge reserves of fruit that are complemented by carnal, savory nuances and framed by melting tannins and ripe acids. Concluding with a long, resonant finish, the only criticism one can make is that a 750-milliliter bottle simply isn't enough.
