Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts

NM has released a retrospective on 1986 this morning. It's pretty lengthy, and he covers most of the important Medocs.

Some of the right banks are touched upon too, but are mostly in passing, since they are fading to him.

The real takeaway is that this is a vintage only for the true enthusiast.

Not something for the cross over fan, who might occasionally buy BDX in the fat years like 2009, when their main feedstock is Napa or SuperTuscans.

Mouton and LLC are the towering monuments to him, still.

Are folks here finding their 86's emerging now?

(I gave up and enjoyed my scant few years ago)

I have only one bottle of the 1986 Lynch Bages. I also lost patience with the vintage.

I too originally avoided purchasing 1986 bordeaux shortly after release and through the 90s due to the stubborn backwardness of the vintage, all the while enjoying the 85s, 89s and 90s. However, I know that 1986 Beychevelle is quite good now, and I imagine some (maybe not many) others are emerging as well.

--Gary Rust

I like the 1986s and think they've been open for 5 years or more depending on the wine. The Cordier stable have been favorites. Then again, I'm a tannin pig, so I understand the "not for crossover" comments.

Mouton may still need more time, but it's been 10 years since I've had it.

You guys are madmen. You are mad.
1986L is one of the top five greatest vintages since 1961.
Gruaud Larose
Talbot
Beychevelle
LLC
Mouton
Pichon Lalande
Lafite
Lynch
Cos
Leoville Barton
de Lamarque (my epiphany wine)
Pontet Canet (yes, Pontet Canet)
D'Yquem
Margaux was outstanding at a Stuart dinner
Heck, even GPL made a drinkable wine that year
"Will the fruit outlast the tannins..." what a bunch of nonsense.

Oops -- Almost forgot that the best 1986 bordeaux I've had lately, and a truly great wine, is the 1986 Rauzan Segla -- terrific.

--Gary Rust

To add to the 86 list....

I heard 86 Ducru and 86 Baron are really good. And I know that 86 Meyney and 86 L'Arossee that I had recently were quite remarkable... Presently, I am just holding 1 bottle each of Talbot and Lunch Bag from 86 vintage...

Yes Gary and CV, I agree with all of those additions.
1986L... one of the truly great vintages ever.

JimHow wrote:Yes Gary and CV, I agree with all of those additions.
1986L... one of the truly great vintages ever.

In fact, IIRC, didn't few people in the wine industry (retailers and raters) preferred 86 to 82?

They are sheep.

JimHow wrote:They are sheep.

Naaahhh. They are Lemmings...

Lots of critics who'd downplayed '82 early on touted the classic profile of 1983. I don't ever recall anyone suggesting that '86 was better than '82. The strength of 1982 was pretty well acknowledged by then.

Certainly a JimHow sort of vintage. Pape Clement has been surprising vintage-chartists for at least 15 years.

What did NM have to say about the 1986 Margaux? I received a bottle as a wedding gift, and knowing the vintage's reputation, I've just been sitting on it, thinking it might be getting close at age 30.

I am with Jim on this one. I love the best 1986s, especially the Cordier ones. Left bank only, of course, and not the most consistent vintage. But a really tasty one. I only enjoy 1982 more, including 1985 and 1989.

SF Ed

Quite a few of these just need a lot more time, including Margaux, Jon. There is nothing wrong with the vintage. Just requires more patience.

I wish all bordeaux vintages were only for the true enthusiast!!!!!

The 1986 Rausan Segla I drank with friends last Thursday was pretty fabulous - one of the best wines I had all year. I like it more than the 1986 Chateau Margaux. I think 1986 Mouton is awesome. Talbot is also outstanding, as are Gruaud Larose and Pichon Lalande. Though I have the in the cellar, I don't remember tasting Leoville Barton, Cos d'Estournel or Lynch Bages.

Drank my last bottle of 1986 La Mission Haut Brion last month. I don't think it's all great. I think Neal Martin gave it 88 points - about right by my experience.

Chris Bublitz

Yes, but the 85 La Mission makes up for it!

Mr. Blanquito, there is still one in the cellar with your name on it.

Chris Bublitz

I wish all bordeaux vintages were only for the true enthusiast!!!!!

Ha you beat me to it, RPCV, I was going to say the same thing!

Winona Chief wrote:Mr. Blanquito, there is still one in the cellar with your name on it.

Chris Bublitz

Very, very generous of you, Senior Bublitz. I hope to take you up on that offer some day soon.