Château Mouton-Rothschild, Ch. Mouton Rothschild 1989

90 / 100 Robert Parker
Considering the vintages and the estate, Mouton's performances in 1989 and 1990 are puzzling. I have tasted these wines multiple times since my last reviews appeared in print. The 1989 Mouton-Rothschild is the superior wine, but in no sense is this a compelling wine if compared to the Moutons produced in 1995, 1986, and 1982. The 1989 displays a dark ruby color that is already beginning to reveal significant lightening at the edge. The bouquet is surprisingly evolved, offering up scents of cedar, sweet black fruits, lead pencil, and toasty oak. This elegant, medium-bodied restrained wine is beautifully made, stylish, and not dissimilar to the 1985. It is an excellent to outstanding Mouton that should be close to full maturity in 4-5 years; it will drink well for 15-20.
Wine Advocate #109 Feb 1997

96 / 100 Wine Spectator
Shows so much ripe and decadent fruit on the nose, from dried berries and raisin to strawberry and sultana. There is a nutty, cedar undertone as well. Very complex and full-bodied, with lots of vanilla bean and ripe plum flavors. This is almost Burgundian in texture: so soft and so attractive, but then the Bordeaux tannins kick in at the end. What a wine. So much ahead in its life, but just coming around now.—'89/'99 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2009). Drink now. 25,000 cases made.
http://www.winespectator.com/wine/detail/source/search/not..

18.5 / 20 Jancis Robinson
Notably dark ruby with a blackish tinge. Dense, exotic cassis nose. Lots of ripe fruit but no obvious sweetness. Clearly a very fine, long-living wine. Attractive freshness on the finish. Very persistent. No hint of tiring or furry, indistinct fruit - unlike some 1989s. Complex classic claret. No hint of modernism. Attractive spicy note on the end. Very neat.
http://www.jancisrobinson.com/tastings/view/561128?from_se..