The 1986 is finally emerging from the dormant stage that many of the wines from this vintage (especially the Medocs) have been going through. It is a full-bodied, still backward wine that will appeal to classicists and old line traditionalists given its firm structure and austere tannins. Nevertheless, the color is a healthy deep garnet and the wine exhibits wonderful freshness along with notes of underbrush, damp earth, black currants, cedar and new saddle leather. Well-balanced with good depth, medium to full body, and a tannic (although not excessively so) finish, this may not be the most finesse-styled, elegant Lynch Bages ever produced, but it is an interesting Pauillac that will benefit from another 3-4 years of cellaring. While it may never hit the peaks achieved by great Lynch Bages vintages, it will be one of those rare wines that will last 40+ years. Drink: 2014 - 2054
-Robert Parker, Wine Advocate # 196 Aug 2011

(92 Pts)
The 1986 performed exceptionally well in May, tasting like a 3-5 year old wine rather than one that's 14. The color is a dense ruby/purple with very little lightening. The nose offers up moderate quantities of minerals, leather, oak, and black fruits. Full, powerful, sweet, and rich, yet searingly tannic, this is an impressive, well-built, broodingly backward Lynch Bages that requires another 3-4 years of aging, although it can be consumed with some pleasure. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2020.

The 1986 Lynch-Bages is a vintage that I have not encountered for some time. Deep in hue, it has an attractive nose with blackberry, melted asphalt, mint and a hint of gravel in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins considering the vintage. It's powerful but has the elegance that Jean-Michel Cazes made sure his wines had in this decade. Not as austere as some 1986s, this Lynch Bages might lack the fireworks of the 1989 or 1990, but as a precursor to those vintages, it is a might fine Pauillac. Tasted at the château. Tasted July 2023.

5.3 g/l total acidity; 13.1% alcohol): Garnet-tinged dark ruby-red. Black fruits, candied red cherry, licorice, minerals, cedar and iron on the complex, still-reticent nose. Then more approachable on the palate, displaying a lovely restrained sweetness to the blackberry and blueberry fruit and excellent lift and clarity from lively acidity and solid underlying minerality. The finish features noble, fine-grained tannins and subtle persistence. An unusually accessible 1986 but very typical of the fleshy Lynch-Bages personality, this boasts lovely concentration and sneaky depth. Very well done.

Dark in color, with intense aromas of ripe black cherry, cedar and light herbs. Medium- to full-bodied, with firm tannins and a medium finish. A bit lean today, but there's lots going on here.--Lynch-Bages non-blind vertical. JS

Dark garnet – deeper colour than the 1995 served alongside. Smudgy and fully evolved, rich Pauillac. Not at all stringy. Lovely sweetness and persistence. Tasting awfully well now! Just very slightly dry and dusty on the very end but very much alive.