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1989 Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf du Pape Celestins

1989 Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf du Pape Celestins

99 JG

Featured Review
(Châteauneuf du Pape “Réserve des Célestins”- Henri Bonneau) Henri Bonneau believes that the 1989 Réserve de Célestins is among the top two or three wines he has ever produced, and it is indeed a profound bottle of wine, with the intensity, breed and finesse that only the greatest wines of the last fifty years share. It is clearly the greatest bottle of young Bonneau wine that I have ever had the pleasure to taste. The bouquet is deep and brilliantly profound in its purity and complexity, as it soars from the glass in a blaze of black cherries, gravelly soil tones, heather, balsam boughs, gamebirds, orange zest, woodsmoke and a potpourri of Châteauneuf spice tones. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, strikingly pure and firmly grounded in its stony soil tones, with a rock solid core of pristine fruit, ripe, well-integrated tannins, bright, tangy acidity (!) and stunning length and grip on the laser-like, complex and flawless finish. As the wine closes in on its twentieth birthday it is beginning to develop some tertiary layers of complexity on both the nose and palate, and is drinking beautifully. However, it has many, many more years to go, and there is no reason to rush consuming this great wine. (Drink between 2007-2035) John Gilman

Cellar Tracker | 99 JG

Critic Reviews

(Châteauneuf du Pape “Réserve des Célestins”- Henri Bonneau) Henri Bonneau believes that the 1989 Réserve de Célestins is among the top two or three wines he has ever produced, and it is indeed a profound bottle of wine, with the intensity, breed and finesse that only the greatest wines of the last fifty years share. It is clearly the greatest bottle of young Bonneau wine that I have ever had the pleasure to taste. The bouquet is deep and brilliantly profound in its purity and complexity, as it soars from the glass in a blaze of black cherries, gravelly soil tones, heather, balsam boughs, gamebirds, orange zest, woodsmoke and a potpourri of Châteauneuf spice tones. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, strikingly pure and firmly grounded in its stony soil tones, with a rock solid core of pristine fruit, ripe, well-integrated tannins, bright, tangy acidity (!) and stunning length and grip on the laser-like, complex and flawless finish. As the wine closes in on its twentieth birthday it is beginning to develop some tertiary layers of complexity on both the nose and palate, and is drinking beautifully. However, it has many, many more years to go, and there is no reason to rush consuming this great wine. (Drink between 2007-2035)

John Gilman | 99 JG
Inching closer and closer to the celestial 1990, is the 1989. This cuvee was fabulous when tasted in Bonneau’s cellars, but it closed down after bottling. Possibly even more powerful and tannic than the 1990, as well as more backward, the 1989 looks to be a great classic. It is a Reserve des Celestins to forget for another 3-8 years. It possesses all the characteristics of the 1990, but everything is packed into a more linear personality. Amazing stuff! Anticipated maturity: 2009-2035.

Robert Parker | 99 RP
Representing the essence of traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the 1989 Réserve des Célestins is an incredibly perfumed wine that almost gushes ripe garrigue, wild herbs, and spice aromas on the nose. More beef blood, leather, and fruit characteristics develop with air, but it’s the sweet perfume of garrigue that defines this wine aromatically. Full bodied on the palate, very concentrated and amazingly pure, this is still tannic and structured, but possesses more than enough flesh to make it a heavenly drink at this stage. A blockbuster in every sense of the word, this still needs another 3-5 years in the cellar to hit full maturity.

Jeb Dunnuck | 98 JD

Wine Details for 1989 Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf du Pape Celestins

Type of Wine Chateauneuf du Pape : You can expect Chateauneuf-du-Pape reds selection to wash over you with a combination of leather, game, tar, and delicious dried herbs, creating a spice mixture that commands respect from even the harshest non-believers. Chateauneuf-du-Pape whites are ever so refreshing and bold, frolicking in a field of floral notes and earthy minerals.
Varietal Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.

Country France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world.



For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide.



France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity.



France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.



With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.


Region Rhone : While the Northern Rhone produces only about 5% of all wine coming out of the Rhone Valley, the quality of these bottles is not to be underestimated. The terroir in this region is heavenly for growing Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne or Rousanne - the only permitted grapes in the AOC. Picture this - the Rhone flows through the valley like an azure thread piercing the landscape, a reflection of the dreamy skies hovering above the vineyards, ready to produce rainfall at a moment's notice. The rocky soil of the steep, almost surreal hillsides provides a bountiful feast for the grapevine roots. The flavors and texture of Northern Rhone wines tell you everything you need to know as soon as your lips touch the elixir, like a whisper in the vigorous valley winds

As per the Southern Rhone wine, it is like taking a plunge into a whirlpool of juicy flavor. Every sip explodes forward like a crashing tsunami, bathing your tastebuds in delicious aromas of prune, chocolate, grass, and black fruit. The wines are so compelling that it can be hard to drink them casually at a social event without getting lost in their intricate textures and emotional depths. Let's set sail together, and drink deep from these luxurious bottles with our friends and loved ones.

Overview

Producer H.Bonneau

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