Pichon Lalande 1986

Tasted at the Fine Wine Experience’s Pichon-Lalande vertical in London. The 1986 Pichon Lalande is still looking very youthful. The nose is incredibly backward and surly with smoke, cedar, cigar box, cooked meats with good definition. You could describe it as being rather joyless but it will surely mellow out with further bottling ageing. A touch of liquorice develops with time. The palate is full-bodied, firm tannins, backward, broody, good acidity, crisp black fruits, iodine, and a touch of liquorices, taut with good length. After 22-years this has not entertained the notion of entering it drinking plateau. Hopefully it will mellow out soon – a broad-shouldered, burly Pichon Lalande. Drink 2012-2030. Tasted December 2008.

Tasted 7 Times Since Bottling With Consistent Notes The 1986 is the most tannic, as well as the largest-framed Pichon-Lalande in over three decades. Whether it will ultimately eclipse the 1982 is doubtful, but it will be longer-lived. Dark ruby/purple, with a tight yet profound bouquet of cedar, blackcurrants, spicy oak, and minerals, this full-bodied, deeply concentrated, exceptionally well-balanced wine is, atypically, too brawny and big to drink young. Anticipated maturity: 1994-2015.

One of the big surprises of the tasting. Superbly structured, with breathtaking aromas of plums, chocolate and berries that follow through on the palate. Full-bodied, with full tannins and a long, alluring finish. Needs time.--Pichon-Lalande vertical. Best after 2002.

The 1986 is the most tannic, as well as the largest-framed Pichon-Lalande in over three decades. Whether it will ultimately eclipse the 1982 is doubtful, but it will be longer-lived. Dark ruby/purple, with a tight yet profound bouquet of cedar, blackcurrants, spicy oak, and minerals, this full-bodied, deeply concentrated, exceptionally well-balanced wine is, atypically, too brawny and big to drink young. Anticipated maturity: 1994-2015 Last tasted, 6/93.