TN: 1986 Ch. Meyney

[Ramon_NYC]

1986 Ch. Meyney, Saint-Estephe

Came out of the gate with what Marina referred to as some kind of band-aid smell and which I’d call Cordier funk. Blew off. Wine was dark ruby red, very slight bricking at rim, with reasonable amount of black fruit, mineral, and bit of unresolved tannin. Full bodied, but with more air time, showed noticeable hollowness in the middle. Have had better earlier bottles. A rare display of an ‘86 that seem to be on the downslope from better drinking days. B

[Houndsong]

Too bad. Has anyone done an 86-88-89 shootout?

Anyone bringing the 86 and/or 89, e komo mai.

[Claret]

My last and recent bottle of the 86 was the best one. It had finally reached its peak and was really good. The tannins had gotten rounder and the fruit was still in support.

Sometime around 1995 we had a vertical of 1982-1990 of Meyney at my house. No 84 or 87 was tasted. A future MW was present. The 82, 86 and 89 were the top wines. 1988, 1985 and 1990 were the next level, with the 83 good but below the best level.

I have just one 1989 left from a futures case. I predict a December demise.

[finner]

Had the '86 back in June. I wrote: "gorgeous funky nose, deep cherry at the core, very solid".