Louis Roederer Cristal 1989

What the critics scored the 1989

5 critic scores from 4 reviewers, on the 100-point scale from 92/100 to 98/100 and one on the 20-point scale, 19/20. Score: 96.0 out of 100.

By score the 1989 ranks 20th of 39 (tied with 1967 and 1982) scored Louis Roederer Cristal vintages, 0.1 points above their review-weighted 95.9.

The 1980s by score: 1981 94.0, 1982 96.0, 1983 93.5, 1985 95.7, 1986 91.5, 1988 94.8 and 1989 96.0. The 1989 shares the decade's top score.

Hints of caramel, orange peel, apricot jam and spice run through the 1989 Cristal. Ample, creamy and generous, the 1989 is in great shape today. The slightly forward aromas and flavors suggest the 1989 has arrived at a plateau of maturity. I would prefer to drink it over the next decade or so, although the wine has more than enough density to hold for many years. I have had fresher bottles of the 1989, but this is a fine showing just the same. The 1989 is always a silky, gracious and totally understated Cristal, as it is once again today. “Nineteen eighty-nine was a riper year, and therefore more Pinot-driven, with about 63-64% Pinot in the final blend than the more typical 60%” adds Lecaillon.

Massive scale. Very, very ripe nose but with great tension on the palate. Much more acidity and nerve than the 1990. Chardonnay much in evidence. See comments below on the relative merits of these two vintages in Champagne.

The 1989 Roederer Cristal was the most understated of these three wines. It showed incredible clarity and depth, with superbly well-delineated, floral notes intertwined with ripe fruit. It was hauntingly beautiful and a reminder that Cristal is a wine that blossoms with bottle age.

A jero of 1989 Cristal was first, and it was singing out of jero. Fresh, racy, zippy and practically sizzling, the '89 was a great way to start the afternoon. Corn, straw, butter and minerals were all present in this 'underrated monster' of a Champagne, per Bruce. The acidity was extraordinary

Rich and deep, ripe and full-bodied, this offers toasty, almond, spice and even white-chocolate flavors, emphatic yet harmonious. Has firm mouthfeel and a long finish; though the flavors are maturing, it will still evolve well.

What drinkers rate it

93.8 out of 100 from 44 drinker ratings, the most recent in February 2026.

That is 2.2 points below the critics' score.

Drinker rank: 26th of 44 (tied with 1986, 1990 and 1997). The most-rated vintage has 559 ratings.

5 written notes, December 2023 to February 2026, rating it 88 to 99.

Sous bois, ecorce, champignons, de la bombe avec un bon plat de pates au champi ! Pas pour apero ni comme dessert ! Trop particulier

Magnifique experience avec ce Cristal 89, le vin se developpe sur des notes legerement rancio avec une tres belle touche d'ananas, zeste de pamplemousse que je retrouve souvent ( et le comparatif est tres interessant ) dans des vieux riesling allemand de 40-50 ans. La bulle etait encore bien presente mais en subtilite, l'acidite a point, bref un vin d'exception encore bien en forme tout en etant sur un profile de vieux Champagne ! Sublime

From magnum. Amidst very stiff competition, this may have just been the WOTN. Wow! Spectacular!!

Detta va extremt spannande! Den andrar sig i doft och smak for varje minut som gick. Valdigt lite bubblor kvar med en valdigt len smorig appelmos. Valdigt bra djup i smaken. Rabiff och butterboard till detta!

Out of 3L was insanely fresh alive. Bubbles were present and alive. Just so youthful. Tasted like an 02 or more recent vintage.

What it has traded at

One trade month on record, February 2017: 1 sale at £263 a bottle.

That last sale is 9 years old: history, not a quote.

7 other vintages also last traded in 2017: 3 cheaper, 4 dearer.

When to drink the 1989

2000 to 2028: 28 years, opening 11 years after the harvest.

Open at our 2026 snapshot, with 2 years to run.

Window length rank, longest first: 20th of 33.

The 1989 against its neighbours

The 1989 beside its 4 nearest recorded years.

Here, by score, it places 2nd of 5.