Chateau Talbot 1989

Decanter: "A wonderful wine, although I would pip the 1986 as just a touch more reflective of the estate. Lovely touches of iron on the attack lead into the most beautiful explosion of black fruits. It blossoms in the glass, showing more concentrated spice than many vintages, with liquorice and earthy, peaty flavours abounding through the palate. It has more stuffing and a little less elegance than the 1986, which gives it a definite appeal. Still extremely young."

Jancis Robinson: "Bright bricky garnet. More evidently leafy than the Langoa, and that makes it smell younger, still of blackcurrant leaves and capsicum, even lavender, though there is a light meatiness. Not as long as the Langoa but richer than I expected from the nose. There's still a slight grip in the tannins and I wonder if there always will be. The tannnis may well outlast the fruit. After an hour, more liquorice on the nose and perhaps just a little dry on the palate but not dried out."