1989 Red Burgundy

A very successful vintage year for Red Burgundy, producing a large crop of plump, fleshy and opulent wines which have aged remarkably well into the early 2000s.

The 1989 reds were full of charm, yet I slightly preferred the structure of the more austere 1988s and the immense concentration of 1990. In any case, the 1989s were for drinking before either of the other two. Some of the finest wines will still be very exciting to drink, and the grandest of the grands crus may even have more to unfold. In general though 1989 reds are mostly past their best.

Red Burgundy 1989 - The Weather
April was cold and wet and May saw some instances of frost and a particularly vicious hailstorm on the 25th. June was fairly cool, with the summer beginning in earnest in July, with hot and dry weather continuing through to mid September. The grapes were harvested with high sugar levels and ripeness.