1989 Chateau Angelus, Saint-Emilion, Bottle (750ml) [Soiled Label]

DR98 "Even at 32 years old the tannins are dense, even chewy, still so much power. Here you get pure black truffle, along with olive paste, raspberry, enveloping violet and peony notes with some white pepper spice. 'Only' a grand cru classé at the time, showing just how much potential this site always had. Just 50 bottles left at the estate, recorked in 2019." JA for DR Nov 2021

JA97 "Almost nothing left at the estate, and hard to find globally. Hard not to gulp down also, as this is delicious. Tobacco, orange peel, baked earth, Christmas spice and sweet raspberry fruits dominate on the opening beats. Melted and silky tannins, we are in full cigar box, leather, sweet liquorice, black truffle and camphor territory. A brilliant wine, at its peak drinking, showcasing seductive tertiary flavours. This was made just a few years after Hubert de Boüard took over full control, and it reflects the fact that something special was happening at Angélus at the time." JA for IB Jun 2022

JD96 "The 1989 Château Angelus was singing, with a gorgeous array of red and black fruits, leafy tobacco, tapenade, and cedar pencil (I would have guess Médoc if blind) that makes you sit back and sigh in contentment. Just complex, nuanced, and satisfying on the nose, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness that carries resolved tannins, a pure, layered, elegant mouthfeel, and a great finish. Tasted next to the 2009, it doesn't quite have the depth or grandeur of that vintage (or the 1990, for that matter), but it’s just a beautiful expression of the château that is drinking at point. Count yourself lucky if you have these in the cellar. It will evolve gracefully over the coming decade and have a gradual decline thereafter." JD Aug 2024

LP96 "The modern era of Angelus begins with the 1989 vintage. This wine is very different in style compared to the exotic, voluptuous, elegant wines produced today as it is much more on the masculine side, deep with a nose of crunchy green pepper and a somewhat raw, still young style, with fruity expressions. Life is just beginning for this wine and it should be capable of another 10-15 years development." IB for TWI Aug 2025