Wine Spectator (89)

Firm and vivid, offering clear cherry, tobacco and cedar flavors backed by firm, round tannins; it blooms on the finish.--The Bordeaux 50. Drink now through 2000. 2,000 cases made. -JS

Wine Advocate (78)

For some reason, Boyd-Cantenac tends to be a hard, sometimes dull wine and the 1986 has these characteristics plus diluted flavors, no doubt caused by the excessive vineyard yields, as well as a lenient selection process at the chateau. This medium-bodied, rather tannic wine should be consumed early in its life because of the lack of extract. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 3/90.

Wine Advocate (90)

The Echezeaux is one of the best examples of this wine the domaine has made recently. Deep in color (darker actually than the 1985), this wine has an exotic, intense bouquet of plums, oriental spices, oak, and berry fruit. It is, as one would expect, the most forward of their wines, but I would still not opt for opening it until 1993-1994. This is among the few superstars of this vintage, but the 1986 is not for drinking soon-patience is most definitely required.

Wine Advocate (100)

This wine continues to rank as one of the most memorable white wines I have ever tasted. The only criticism may be its heavy-weight style. The light golden color is followed by a nose that zooms from the glass, offering a phenomenal fragrance of honey, smoked nuts, lavishly rich, buttery fruit, and toasty oak. The wine's viscosity, unctuousness, and extract level are mind-boggling. It represents the essence of Chardonnay, extremely full-bodied and concentrated, yet remarkably well-balanced in spite of its massive size. Gorgeous to drink now, it should last for a decade or more.

Wine Spectator (95)

A monster in its infancy. Almost black in color, with intense cassis, herb and mint aromas and superrich, dense cassis and licorice flavors. May last forever.--Ducru-Beaucaillou vertical. -TM

Wine Spectator (95)

A monster in its infancy. Almost black in color, with intense cassis, herb and mint aromas and superrich, dense cassis and licorice flavors. May last forever.--Ducru-Beaucaillou vertical. -TM

Wine Advocate (93)

Tasted at the château, the 1986 Haut Brion is a vintage that I had not tasted for some time. It is a blend of 28% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 62% Cabernet Sauvignon according to the chateau's records. Mirroring the 1996 La Mission, in this vintage that Haut-Brion occupies a higher quality level, with more complexity and vivacity on the nose: dusky black fruit, warm gravel, terracotta and cigar humidor. Lovely! The palate is very well balanced, maybe a little rustic compared to recent vintages, yet with firm body and grip. It's the kind of gruff, almost surly, broad-shouldered 1986s that might be a little curmudgeonly compared to 1985 or 1989, however after 30 years you are compensated with plenty of freshness and focus. I don't think it ranks up there with the best of the First Growth...that would come in other vintages, but it still provides plenty of drinking pleasure for those who love their classic claret with capital C. Tasted July 2016.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)

The tannins remain evident, fully in tact, and overall this 1986 is young, profound, full of spiced herbs and freshly turned-over earth. It needs time in the bottle or carafe, because although there is more evident charm in the 1985 on first opening, this is the vintage of the pair that will be around for the longest. Dense black fruits abound, along with cigar box, black tea and slate. In its youth it was described as tannic, solid, almost austere, and it is astonishing how it has kept that character over the decades. There are still nuaces here that will be revealed over the decades to come, so be sure to give it time to unwind if you are opening any time over the next decade. 45hl/h yield. The famous Ricardo Bofill circular cellar was under construction at this point.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)

The tannins remain evident, fully in tact, and overall this 1986 is young, profound, full of spiced herbs and freshly turned-over earth. It needs time in the bottle or carafe, because although there is more evident charm in the 1985 on first opening, this is the vintage of the pair that will be around for the longest. Dense black fruits abound, along with cigar box, black tea and slate. In its youth it was described as tannic, solid, almost austere, and it is astonishing how it has kept that character over the decades. There are still nuaces here that will be revealed over the decades to come, so be sure to give it time to unwind if you are opening any time over the next decade. 45hl/h yield. The famous Ricardo Bofill circular cellar was under construction at this point.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)

The tannins remain evident, fully in tact, and overall this 1986 is young, profound, full of spiced herbs and freshly turned-over earth. It needs time in the bottle or carafe, because although there is more evident charm in the 1985 on first opening, this is the vintage of the pair that will be around for the longest. Dense black fruits abound, along with cigar box, black tea and slate. In its youth it was described as tannic, solid, almost austere, and it is astonishing how it has kept that character over the decades. There are still nuaces here that will be revealed over the decades to come, so be sure to give it time to unwind if you are opening any time over the next decade. 45hl/h yield. The famous Ricardo Bofill circular cellar was under construction at this point.

Wine Advocate (92+)

Dark dense ruby/purple, with very little evolution to the color, Lafleur’s 1986 seems frozen in time, a structured, tannic, backward monster that still needs considerable cellaring. No matter how much airing I have given this wine, it does not ever seem to emerge from its cloak of tannin and structure. The fruit seems sweet, and the wine has Lafleur’s telltale notes of kirsch liqueur intermixed with raspberries, minerals, flowers, and truffles. The wine is medium-bodied, weighty in the mouth, but so, so tannic and backward. Will it ever blossom? Anticipated maturity: 2008-2035. Last tasted, 8/02.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 1986 Leoville-Las Cases is still so youthful in appearance after 30 years, with only a thin bricking on the rim giving away its age. The bouquet is magnificent: extraordinarily pure and delineated, bewitching black fruit laced with cedar and graphite, the latter lending an almost Pauillac-like personality. The palate is exactly as I have found the previous dozen or so bottles I have tasted: structured, delineated, intense, aristocratic and imperious. It is less formidable than say, ten years ago, so it has probably just stepped onto its drinking plateau. The acidity is perfectly judged lending freshness and tension, crucial to counterbalance those layers of spicy black fruit that fans out with cedar and graphite (again) towards the finish. You come away with the feeling of having consumed a wine with immense energy, yet with so much more to give over the next three decades, and knowing this property, perhaps even the three decades after that! I would agree with the late Michel Delon: the 1986 Léoville Las-Cases is the summit of the 1980s. Tasted September 2016.

Vinous (98+)

The 1986 Chateau Margaux was even more emotionally moving. Still incredibly youthful, it showed incredible focus and depth, all backed up by considerable structure. As hard as it may seem to believe, on this night the 1986 appeared to still be some years away from peaking. It was striking in every way.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

A wine that's been closed every time I've been lucky enough to taste it previously, the 1986 Château Mouton Rothschild appears to have finally come around, and it’s pure Bordeaux gold today. Still deeply hued and vibrant, with no bricking, it has a powerful, full-bodied style carrying lots of pure black currants, scorched earth, graphite, tobacco leaf, and roasted coffee-like aromatics. Full-bodied and still incredibly concentrated on the palate, it has a massive mid-palate, polished yet still present tannins, and an incredible finish. A legendary bottle of wine, it lived up to every expectation on this occasion. It probably has another 50 years of life, but it's in a great spot today.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

A wine that's been closed every time I've been lucky enough to taste it previously, the 1986 Château Mouton Rothschild appears to have finally come around, and it’s pure Bordeaux gold today. Still deeply hued and vibrant, with no bricking, it has a powerful, full-bodied style carrying lots of pure black currants, scorched earth, graphite, tobacco leaf, and roasted coffee-like aromatics. Full-bodied and still incredibly concentrated on the palate, it has a massive mid-palate, polished yet still present tannins, and an incredible finish. A legendary bottle of wine, it lived up to every expectation on this occasion. It probably has another 50 years of life, but it's in a great spot today.

Wine Spectator (92)

Dark red, with an amber edge. Aromas of chocolate, stewed berries, Merlot and raisins. Full-bodied, velvety and rich. Lovely palate. Delicious now, but will hold on. An autumnal wine.--Bordeaux retrospective.

Wine Spectator (92)

Dark red, with an amber edge. Aromas of chocolate, stewed berries, Merlot and raisins. Full-bodied, velvety and rich. Lovely palate. Delicious now, but will hold on. An autumnal wine.--Bordeaux retrospective.

Wine Spectator (92)

Dark red, with an amber edge. Aromas of chocolate, stewed berries, Merlot and raisins. Full-bodied, velvety and rich. Lovely palate. Delicious now, but will hold on. An autumnal wine.--Bordeaux retrospective.

Wine Spectator (97)

Amazingly rich and elegant with concentrated and compact fruit, layers of cassis, currant, vanilla and plum flavors and a remarkable aftertaste that is gentle and supple. Has the tannic framework for cellaring until at least 2000.

Experience opulence with Prunier Vintage Fins Bois Cognac 1986, a divine spirit emboldened by time to yield a harmonious symphony of flavours. This particular breed of the esteemed Prunier Vintage series, born in the heart of France's prestigious Fins Bois region, is rich with an unparalleled distinction punctuated by its 1986 origin, a monumental year in the world of cognac.

Individual grape eaux-de-vie batches are meticulously resourced from vineyards throughout the Fins Bois locale and diligently aged in French oak barrels, allowing the spirit to develop its signature characteristics. The meticulous methods of Maison Prunier are evident with every sip - a charming testament to over two centuries of refined cognac craftsmanship.

In a sip of the Prunier Vintage Fins Bois Cognac 1986, immerse yourself in the legacy of a celebrated maison, an outstanding vintage year, and the soul of an exceptional region. It is an unfailing reminder that exquisite things do indeed improve with age.

Unveiling elegance in every sip, the Prunier Vintage Petite Champagne Cognac 1986 is a nuanced reflection of its provenance. Produced by the House of Prunier, an esteemed coognac producer with a thriving legacy spanning over two centuries, this epicurean delight hails from the Petite Champagne region of France, renowned for its prime cognac vineyards. Aged meticulously in hand-selected oak barrels, the development of this cognac's charm is slow and deliberate, forging an exquisite spirit.

Exhibiting profound complexity, the Prunier Vintage Petite Champagne Cognac 1986 astonishes with its rich colour and opulent bouquet. The senses are gently teased with floral hints, vibrant fruit notes and whispers of spice - an embodiment of its remarkable terroir. A seductively smooth palate honours the time-honoured craft, radiating with a finish that lingers with mellow warmth. Deemed a collectors' item, this 1986 vintage cognac is a distinguished publicaton in the anthology of Prunier's tradition of excellence.

Wine Advocate (85)

Another rather hollow, commercial style of wine that shows vegetal aromas along with herbal tea, licorice, and some faded candied cherry notes. The color is an evolved medium ruby with plenty of amber. The wine’s finish is short, medium-bodied., with evidence of dilution. Anticipated maturity: Drink it up. Last tasted, 2/02.