Incredibly youthful appearance, no bricking at all. Bretty smell on opening which (mostly) blew off after 20 mins in glass. Nose of red fruits and still a nicely dry palate. Tannins still present. Sure, a little one-dinensional, but an absolute steal at £15 and definitely showing better than the ‘89 Clement Pichon from last week.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I had a bunch of these back in the day and they were very nice when young. Then I opened 2 of them in 2009 and they were awful. Dead as nails. Poured them out.
Brought this one up with a backup bottle bc I expected to pour it down the drain, too. But no!
It’s lovely. Fully mature. On the backside of the hill but not too far. Pale color (not at all brown), light on palate. Mature nose, but doesn’t smell musty or oxidized. Secondary flavors emerging. A little sweet in the finish. Really nice, and a very pleasant surprise!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
From half bottle. Brownish color as it was decanted. A little sherry character at first which blew off right away. Decent fruit with still prominent tannins. More advanced than full bottles I've had but still enjoyable, and somewhat better with food.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Had a glass at pnp and again after a few hours of air. Both were really nice, better than I expected. Fruit was mature but sweet plains and cherries, tannins totally integrated and smooth, still some decent acidity and very low alcohol. But we made the mistake of drinking the rest with dinner which was lamb with a very acidic mint sauce. I think it was just too much for the wine and it ended up tasting dilute and slightly bitter. We should have known better! Day 2–wow, glad I saved a glass. This is what I dream of when I think of wine. Just perfectly evolved, plenty of fruit, hints of tea, a bit of cedar and a lovely finish. So glad I have 2 more bottles.
I double decanted this on Friday evening and drank it alongside a grilled porkchop with grilled veggies and roasted potatoes. My impression was that the oak was stronger than the fruit. Pleasant enough but not as good as previous bottles, and perhaps somewhat past its peak. That opinion changed when I drank the last two glasses on Sunday evening after leaving the stoppered bottle in my wine fridge for two days. Drank alongside sausage stuffed crimini mushrooms this was full of life, showing full round tannins, beaucoup red and black fruit with the oak influence totally in balance. A lip-smacking finish put a smile on my face. It was an excellent accompaniment to the food and reminded me that patience is a key ingredient of great Bordeaux.
Due to its age I did not want to give it too much air but it certainly opened up after about 20-30 minutes. A deep reddy/brown with little nose but no denying a fabulous rich ripe fruit, typical of the vintage, and almost a bit unreal. The flavour continued to grow but the nose less so and there were no tannins and the signs of health and a longer life. As a St. Estephe I rather missed the structure and slight mustiness and kept thinking I was drinking a St. Emilion.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Double decanted. The first glass showed a strong herbal/ashy character. As the wine opened up the fruit came out, and then the tannins. After a short while everything integrated into an excellent drink. Plenty of fruit, a bit of grip, and a hint of sweetness on the medium long finish. Very enjoyable!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
from a magnum. P&P.oh boy, what is better than a mature Bordeaux? Nose displays sweet notes of black fruits, mushrooms and forest. This is very harmonious. The palate is in the same line, very fine and integrated tanins, almost velvety, good length and freshness. Spectacular now and not tired at all.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Quite intriguing. Reminds me of Rainier cherries accented by green undergrowth and a hint of iodine. Fully mature at this point, should be consumed sooner than later.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose of dark cherry fruit, mushroom, and mustiness, the mustiness blew off after ten minutes in the glass, more of he same on the palate, medium/big body, tasty, at its peak or slightly over the hill, definitely time to drink up if you own it, rich fruit, almost mouth filling fruit, and medium/long finish. Uploaded picture of bottle.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark garnet color. Lots of sediment. 2 hr decant. A bit of mustiness on the nose and palate. Nice red fruit taste. Modest tannins. Lengthy finish. Not heavy but still very robust. Needs full flavored food for best appreciation. In the last glass I detected a hint of residual sweetness as the wine reached its full expression.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose of dark cherry fruit, cigar box, earth, and allspice, more of he same on the palate, smooth, delicious, mouth coating, medium body and medium finish, better aromatics but slightly less fruit as I recall than the last bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bu sans prise de notes. Bouchon limite, niveau bouteille légèrement bas mais contenu encore en parfaite condition. Le vin à un aspect légèrement trouble, vivant, ce qui laisse penser à un vin non filtre. Le nez est superbe de complexité, la bouche caressante. Un grand moment de plaisir.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Vin somptueux. A l'ouverture, nez puissant de groseille confituré et de cherry, opulent et dense, cèdre, soja, tabac, cuir, grande présence de fruit entre fraise et groseille. Bonne acidité. Pourquoi Parker dit-il donc toujours que ce cru doit-être bu rapidement ? Les meilleurs que j'ai bu sont, pour l'instant, le 78, le 89 et le 90.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Parker is dead wrong when he declares this wine over the hill. Drinking at peak with no expected improvement, but expected to hold for several more years. Lovely complex Bordeaux nose, great acidity,fruit, and enough tannin to keep the balance. Great value.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
When opening the cork literaly fell into the bottle. Nose was raiseny port-like which makes me wonder about the storage. It wasn't totally cooked but it showed a candied quaility initially masked the fruit. Tanins were resolved and over a couple of hours it really opened up nicely. Score is held back due to the continuing raisiness on the back end of the palate.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I did not have great hopes for this wine given others comments and drinking windows from Mr Parker, amongst others. In fact I only took it to the tasting with friends because I could not find my first choice bottle and I even took a back up bottle in case it was a dud.
I didn't decant this but opening and left in bottle about 2 hours before drinking. Some bricking around the edge but still with a surprising depth of colour. a little bottle stink on the nose which soon blew off. A lovely mature nose, sweet and with some power. On the palate the sweetness still coming through with some residual drying tannis and a pleasant amount of acid. A beautiful wine and a real surprise - wine of the night.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank my last 2 bottles for Thanksgiving, with turkey. Opened them just before the meal. One cork broke, but it did not affect the wine. Still very dark color, fruity, sweet, coffee and tobacco, well-balanced and nice finish. Two of the young guests had only drunk Chianti in their life and were astonished how good a good french wine can be.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lovely nose of dark cherry fruit, smoke and earth and Sumatra coffee, more of he same on the palate, brings back my two visits to taste this wine in barrel and bottle at the Chateau, smooth, luscious, touch of oolong tea, medium body and medium finish, will hold ten years but why wait-drink and enjoy
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I had five - this is the second I've tried. They were both way over the hill. Too bad - I had it when it was much younger and it was good. Poured it ut.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I was a little concerned about this wine since my remaining bottles got lost in the cellar and I havent tasted one for 10 years. Garnet in color with a restrained nose of cedar, coffee and tobacco; medium body, soft tannins; ripe dark berry fruit flavors; finish is short and unremarkable. A fully mature Bordeaux still drinking reasonalby well but I would plan on consuming the remaining bottles over the next 1-2 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep brick red to blood red colour. Rich nose with oak and plummy fruit. Balanced and restrained classic claret on the palate. Good length and mouthfeel. Quite complex and subtle. Good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasting of 3 1989 Bordeaux, lovely, beet red color in the glass, lovely nose of oak, dark fruit, and minerals, rich taste, opened nicely, very lovely, rich fruit to taste, touch of mint, soft but medium amount of tannins on the finish. My #1 of 3.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This will be one TN for Haut Marbuzet 1988, 1989 and 1990, because except from some nuances the wines are identical: Very complex bouquet with something positive medical and vegetal. Beautiful balance between fruit, oak and bitterness. Very juicy. Very good balance overall, but definitely between acidity and sweetness. Very beautiful wine: full bodied and a lot of finesse. The 1990 has a good sweetness and is overall the definite winner; power and everything in perfect harmony. The 1988 even a little more sweetness, oak, bitterness and power but a little less elegance. In the 1989 the oak is more dominant. But do not be mistaken; all are superb wines.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
6/30/2023 - df1988 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Incredibly youthful appearance, no bricking at all. Bretty smell on opening which (mostly) blew off after 20 mins in glass. Nose of red fruits and still a nicely dry palate. Tannins still present. Sure, a little one-dinensional, but an absolute steal at £15 and definitely showing better than the ‘89 Clement Pichon from last week.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/26/2023 - Zitan wrote: 92 Points
I had a bunch of these back in the day and they were very nice when young. Then I opened 2 of them in 2009 and they were awful. Dead as nails. Poured them out.
Brought this one up with a backup bottle bc I expected to pour it down the drain, too. But no!
It’s lovely. Fully mature. On the backside of the hill but not too far. Pale color (not at all brown), light on palate. Mature nose, but doesn’t smell musty or oxidized. Secondary flavors emerging. A little sweet in the finish. Really nice, and a very pleasant surprise!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/12/2022 - HG123 wrote: 92 Points
Plum, earth, tobacco - drinking really well. Opened 30 mins before and didn’t fade over dinner
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/12/2022 - vintage_whine wrote:
Elegant red fruit, small amount of Brett, but alive and fresh. Perfect balance of earth fruit and acid. Tannins are present but svelte
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/11/2021 - racerchris wrote:
From half bottle. Brownish color as it was decanted.
A little sherry character at first which blew off right away.
Decent fruit with still prominent tannins.
More advanced than full bottles I've had but still enjoyable, and somewhat better with food.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/25/2021 - Decanting Queen Likes this wine: 91 Points
Had a glass at pnp and again after a few hours of air. Both were really nice, better than I expected. Fruit was mature but sweet plains and cherries, tannins totally integrated and smooth, still some decent acidity and very low alcohol.
But we made the mistake of drinking the rest with dinner which was lamb with a very acidic mint sauce. I think it was just too much for the wine and it ended up tasting dilute and slightly bitter. We should have known better!
Day 2–wow, glad I saved a glass. This is what I dream of when I think of wine. Just perfectly evolved, plenty of fruit, hints of tea, a bit of cedar and a lovely finish. So glad I have 2 more bottles.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (9)
7/18/2021 - racerchris Likes this wine:
I double decanted this on Friday evening and drank it alongside a grilled porkchop with grilled veggies and roasted potatoes. My impression was that the oak was stronger than the fruit. Pleasant enough but not as good as previous bottles, and perhaps somewhat past its peak.
That opinion changed when I drank the last two glasses on Sunday evening after leaving the stoppered bottle in my wine fridge for two days. Drank alongside sausage stuffed crimini mushrooms this was full of life, showing full round tannins, beaucoup red and black fruit with the oak influence totally in balance. A lip-smacking finish put a smile on my face. It was an excellent accompaniment to the food and reminded me that patience is a key ingredient of great Bordeaux.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (3)
4/26/2021 - Loathesome Likes this wine: 91 Points
Due to its age I did not want to give it too much air but it certainly opened up after about 20-30 minutes. A deep reddy/brown with little nose but no denying a fabulous rich ripe fruit, typical of the vintage, and almost a bit unreal. The flavour continued to grow but the nose less so and there were no tannins and the signs of health and a longer life. As a St. Estephe I rather missed the structure and slight mustiness and kept thinking I was drinking a St. Emilion.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/6/2020 - racerchris Likes this wine: 92 Points
Double decanted. The first glass showed a strong herbal/ashy character.
As the wine opened up the fruit came out, and then the tannins.
After a short while everything integrated into an excellent drink. Plenty of fruit, a bit of grip, and a hint of sweetness on the medium long finish.
Very enjoyable!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/3/2020 - NickNYC Likes this wine: 94 Points
from a magnum. P&P.oh boy, what is better than a mature Bordeaux? Nose displays sweet notes of black fruits, mushrooms and forest. This is very harmonious. The palate is in the same line, very fine and integrated tanins, almost velvety, good length and freshness. Spectacular now and not tired at all.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/2/2019 - racerchris Likes this wine: 91 Points
Quite intriguing. Reminds me of Rainier cherries accented by green undergrowth and a hint of iodine.
Fully mature at this point, should be consumed sooner than later.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/16/2019 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 90 Points
Fully mature with dusky cellar nose but still good fruit. Classic Bordeaux.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/3/2018 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nose of dark cherry fruit, mushroom, and mustiness, the mustiness blew off after ten minutes in the glass, more of he same on the palate, medium/big body, tasty, at its peak or slightly over the hill, definitely time to drink up if you own it, rich fruit, almost mouth filling fruit, and medium/long finish. Uploaded picture of bottle.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/22/2016 - cubswinws wrote:
Drank at Taylor and Peter's wedding
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/17/2015 - racerchris Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark garnet color. Lots of sediment. 2 hr decant. A bit of mustiness on the nose and palate. Nice red fruit taste. Modest tannins. Lengthy finish. Not heavy but still very robust. Needs full flavored food for best appreciation. In the last glass I detected a hint of residual sweetness as the wine reached its full expression.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/31/2014 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nose of dark cherry fruit, cigar box, earth, and allspice, more of he same on the palate, smooth, delicious, mouth coating, medium body and medium finish, better aromatics but slightly less fruit as I recall than the last bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/9/2014 - Breedlove Likes this wine: 92 Points
Bu sans prise de notes. Bouchon limite, niveau bouteille légèrement bas mais contenu encore en parfaite condition. Le vin à un aspect légèrement trouble, vivant, ce qui laisse penser à un vin non filtre. Le nez est superbe de complexité, la bouche caressante. Un grand moment de plaisir.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/2/2013 - meqoubal36 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Vin somptueux. A l'ouverture, nez puissant de groseille confituré et de cherry, opulent et dense, cèdre, soja, tabac, cuir, grande présence de fruit entre fraise et groseille. Bonne acidité. Pourquoi Parker dit-il donc toujours que ce cru doit-être bu rapidement ? Les meilleurs que j'ai bu sont, pour l'instant, le 78, le 89 et le 90.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/31/2013 - melzar wrote: 92 Points
Parker is dead wrong when he declares this wine over the hill. Drinking at peak with no expected improvement, but expected to hold for several more years. Lovely complex Bordeaux nose, great acidity,fruit, and enough tannin to keep the balance. Great value.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/7/2012 - g-man wrote: 86 Points
When opening the cork literaly fell into the bottle. Nose was raiseny port-like which makes me wonder about the storage. It wasn't totally cooked but it showed a candied quaility initially masked the fruit. Tanins were resolved and over a couple of hours it really opened up nicely. Score is held back due to the continuing raisiness on the back end of the palate.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/21/2012 - Bromie wrote: 92 Points
I did not have great hopes for this wine given others comments and drinking windows from Mr Parker, amongst others. In fact I only took it to the tasting with friends because I could not find my first choice bottle and I even took a back up bottle in case it was a dud.
I didn't decant this but opening and left in bottle about 2 hours before drinking. Some bricking around the edge but still with a surprising depth of colour. a little bottle stink on the nose which soon blew off. A lovely mature nose, sweet and with some power. On the palate the sweetness still coming through with some residual drying tannis and a pleasant amount of acid. A beautiful wine and a real surprise - wine of the night.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2011 - Flavito wrote: 88 Points
Aggressive and dry at first, opened up after an hour. Old but still agreeable...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/3/2011 - windinthewillows1 wrote:
A bit light but quite nice developed flavor.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/26/2010 - JJ De St Antoine wrote: 92 Points
Drank my last 2 bottles for Thanksgiving, with turkey. Opened them just before the meal. One cork broke, but it did not affect the wine. Still very dark color, fruity, sweet, coffee and tobacco, well-balanced and nice finish. Two of the young guests had only drunk Chianti in their life and were astonished how good a good french wine can be.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/9/2010 - JJ De St Antoine wrote: 91 Points
Light red color, complex bouquet, well-balanced full bodied, with finesse and character and a pleasant finish. This accompanied a moussaka.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/18/2010 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 91 Points
Lovely nose of dark cherry fruit, smoke and earth and Sumatra coffee, more of he same on the palate, brings back my two visits to taste this wine in barrel and bottle at the Chateau, smooth, luscious, touch of oolong tea, medium body and medium finish, will hold ten years but why wait-drink and enjoy
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/20/2009 - Zitan wrote: 65 Points
I had five - this is the second I've tried. They were both way over the hill. Too bad - I had it when it was much younger and it was good. Poured it ut.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/30/2009 - knelsfk wrote: 88 Points
I was a little concerned about this wine since my remaining bottles got lost in the cellar and I havent tasted one for 10 years. Garnet in color with a restrained nose of cedar, coffee and tobacco; medium body, soft tannins; ripe dark berry fruit flavors; finish is short and unremarkable. A fully mature Bordeaux still drinking reasonalby well but I would plan on consuming the remaining bottles over the next 1-2 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/4/2003 - SimonG wrote:
Blood red to garnet, well balanced, harmonious style, good fruit, lovely.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/13/2002 - SimonG wrote:
Deep brick red to blood red colour. Rich nose with oak and plummy fruit. Balanced and restrained classic claret on the palate. Good length and mouthfeel. Quite complex and subtle. Good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/20/2001 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 94 Points
Tasting of 3 1989 Bordeaux, lovely, beet red color in the glass, lovely nose of oak, dark fruit, and minerals, rich taste, opened nicely, very lovely, rich fruit to taste, touch of mint, soft but medium amount of tannins on the finish. My #1 of 3.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/23/1997 - Zweder wrote: 91 Points
This will be one TN for Haut Marbuzet 1988, 1989 and 1990, because except from some nuances the wines are identical: Very complex bouquet with something positive medical and vegetal. Beautiful balance between fruit, oak and bitterness. Very juicy. Very good balance overall, but definitely between acidity and sweetness. Very beautiful wine: full bodied and a lot of finesse. The 1990 has a good sweetness and is overall the definite winner; power and everything in perfect harmony. The 1988 even a little more sweetness, oak, bitterness and power but a little less elegance. In the 1989 the oak is more dominant. But do not be mistaken; all are superb wines.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment