Possibly not showing as well as a bottle I had recently from my own cellar, this particular offering, which was about 50% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot, has a dark plum/purple color, but is still quite youthful. A beautiful sweet blueberry and blackberry-scented nose of olive, licorice and cedar wood is followed by a full-bodied and opulent wine, with hints of espresso roast and chocolate as well. It seemed to gain a lot in the glass, but the astringent tannins in the finish still seem a bit awkward and distracting. I think bottles I’ve had have generally shown better, although this is certainly an exceptional wine. It has just suffered somewhat in comparison with several of the other vintages. Drink now to 2030.

Wow. What a reserved, yet seductive nose of milk chocolate, raspberry and mineral aromas that go on and on. Full-bodied, with ultrafine tannins and a mineral, berry, blackberry and violet flavor. This is polished and racy on the palate. So young still. Why wait? But serious and classic.—'89/'99 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2009). Drink now. -JS

A great Angelus and one of the two or three best vintages made under the talented young Hubert de Bouard, this wine still has a youthful, saturated ruby/purple color and a sweet nose of melted licorice intermixed with creme de cassis, tapenade, cedar, spice box, and vanilla. Very full-bodied, opulent, and rich, it is one of the 1989s that justifies the lofty reputation of this vintage. Extremely full-bodied, this wine can be drunk now or cellared for at least another 10-15 years. Anticipated maturity: Now-2015. Last tasted, 4/02.