As an expert sommelier and brewer, I can confidently say that yes, you can definitely drink wine from 1989! In fact, 1989 was a particularly hot year in Portugal, which resulted in an early harvest and ideal climatic conditions for producing excellent dry wines.
The summer of 1989 was exceptionally warm in Portugal, creating the perfect conditions for the grapes to ripen fully and develop their flavors. This means that the wines produced from this harvest are likely to be rich and concentrated, with a depth of flavor that can only come from a year with such favorable weather.
One wine that I would highly recommend from the 1989 vintage is the Poco de Lobo Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is now fully mature and is still drinking beautifully. The aging process has allowed the flavors to mellow and integrate, resulting in a wine that is smooth and complex.
When drinking a wine from 1989 or any older vintage, it's important to understand that the wine may have evolved over time. This means that the flavors and aromas may have changed, and the wine may have developed more tertiary characteristics such as earthiness and leather notes. However, this can add to the overall complexity and enjoyment of the wine.
It's also worth noting that not all wines from 1989 will have aged as gracefully. Factors such as the grape variety, winemaking techniques, and storage conditions can all influence how a wine ages. Therefore, it's important to do some research or seek advice from a knowledgeable wine professional before purchasing or opening a bottle from this vintage.
In my personal experience, I have had the pleasure of tasting several wines from the 1989 vintage, and I have been pleasantly surprised by their quality. I find that these wines often have a unique character and a sense of history that can make the drinking experience even more special.
While not all wines from 1989 will still be drinking well, there are certainly many gems to be discovered. The Poco de Lobo Cabernet Sauvignon is one such example, offering a fully mature and delicious drinking experience. So if you come across a bottle from the 1989 vintage, don't hesitate to give it a try and savor a piece of wine history.