The 1989 Château Mouton Rothschild has a deep ruby and garnet hue. Its smoky, toasty nose is complemented by notes of licorice, spice, and cedarwood. The palate is round with fruity freshness, silky tannins, and subtle touches of caramel, wild berry, vanilla, coffee, and white pepper. The long, harmonious finish is generous and well-balanced. The label was designed by German artist Georg Baselitz.

Jamessuckling.com | JS 98
Published: Jun 12, 2016

Freshly picked blackberries turn into minty dark chocolate and oozing caramel with domineering eucalyptus on the nose. It becomes yet more complex on the palate thanks to layers upon layers of spices and sage plus fat and rounded tannins. There's a long finish with a bitter aftertaste, suggesting this could do with another 10 years or more of bottle aging. This is a Mouton I found massive at the time, then elegant and slightly austere years later, but today true to its former glory. Like the amazing 1947, it should not be forgotten. 

Decanter | D 97
Published: Oct 26, 2018
Drink: 2018-2030

An extremely early year for the property, with harvest from 6-25 September. One to savour, it has the signature smoked, toasted glamour of Mouton, with cappuccino, crushed bilberry and blackberries, pliable tannins, and a drawn-out finish that gets better and better in the glass. The label, by the way, featured Georg Baselitz, a German painter, to celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The Wine Advocate | RP 93
Published: Jan 31, 2017
Drink: 2016-2035

Tasted from magnum and presented by Baron Philippe Sereys de Rothschild, the 1989 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild might not reach the ethereal heights of the 1982 or 1986, but it is certainly a lovely Claret. It has an attractive, slightly leafy bouquet armed with cedar and pencil lead. There is less fruit concentration than I expected, resolutely classic, slightly austere Bordeaux. The palate follows suit. What it lacks in substance it compensates with in balance and personality. This is an understated Mouton-Rothschild that is probably at its peak, although I envisage this offering another two decades of pleasure. Whilst this showing did not replicate some glorious bottles in the past, it remains a very fine Claret that may not be inclined to improve any further. Tasted February 2016. 

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 18.5
Published: Aug 4, 2015
Drink: 2008-2030

Notably dark ruby with a blackish tinge. Dense, exotic cassis nose. Lots of ripe fruit but no obvious sweetness. Clearly a very fine, long-living wine. Attractive freshness on the finish. Very persistent. No hint of tiring or furry, indistinct fruit – unlike some 1989s. Complex classic claret. No hint of modernism. Attractive spicy note on the end. Very neat.

Chateau-mouton-rothschild.com

1989 vintage has a deep colour with an attractive ruby and garnet hue. The pleasantly smoky and toasty nose also reveals some notes of liquorice, spice and cedarwood.
The attack is round, with plenty of fruity freshness over sustained, silky tannins and subtle touches of caramel, wild berry fruit, vanilla, coffee and white pepper.
The long finish is generous, harmonious and well-balanced. A very fine vintage indeed.

Illustration of the Label: Georg Baselitz (1938-)