Chateau La Fleur de Gay 1989

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Possibly the finest Fleur de Gay made, this rich, very large-scaled, tannic wine has a compelling nose of cassis, licorice, white flowers, minerals, and other sorts of black fruits along with some subtle new oak. Full-bodied, with great delineation, purity, and dazzling concentration and intensity, this is a fabulous example of a Fleur de Gay and a wine that seems capable of lasting at least another two decades. Anticipated maturity: Now-2020. Last tasted, 12/02"

WINE SPECTATOR: "Slightly earthy and funky, but there is loads of ripe and decadent fruit here. Shows dried nuts, meat and tanned leather on the nose. Full-bodied, with chewy and rich tannins. Slightly maderized in the palate, but the ripe and Porty fruit pleases me so much. A blockbuster and decadent 1989. Decant and enjoy.--´89/´99 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2009). Drink now. 2,000 cases made."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "My last bottle from the case. Such is life. Fully developed, with a truffle, cigar box and earthy, red berry nose, the wine is medium/full bodied, with soft, silky tannins and an earthy, plum filled nose. This has lost some of its weight and depth and has started its slow decline. There is no urgency to drink up, but it´s not a wine to hold for further aging."