Chateau Le Pin 1989

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "A slightly firmer, more structured wine than the 1990, with similarly low acid but more noticeable tannin, the color remains a very healthy saturated ruby/purple. The nose needs more coaxing and offers up noted of coconut, roasted herbs, jus du viande, along with plenty of black currant and sweet cherry fruit with nicely integrated toasty oak. The wine has similarly high levels of glycerin to the 1990, but less accessibility, and more structure and possibly power. This is a remarkable wine, and certainly one of the great vintages for Le Pin. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2022. Last tasted, 12/01."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Not quite as good as the last bottle, but it still offered a lot of pleasure. Voluptuous, silky, elegant and chocolately, you also found truffle, wet earth and a wide variety of plum notes on the nose and palate. This is fully developed. So if you are one of the lucky few to have a bottle, you should drink this sooner than later."

WINE SPECTATOR: "I like this better than the 1990. It shows loads of licorice and blackberry, with hints of cherry on the nose. Full and refined, with silky tannins and an elegant finish. Lovely. Still very young and bright. The acidity holds it in. Much better than I remember."

WEINWISSER: "Mitteldunkles Weinrot, reifender Rand mit orangen Spuren. Erdige Noten im halbsüssen Nasenbild, Kochschokotöne. Ziemlich füllig im Gaumen, aber es fehlt an Fruchtreserven, recht cremiges Malz, Nougat und orientalische Würze im Finale. Vom Körper her ein Chambertin, aber keiner, der besser werden wird."