Marvellous old Bordeaux with delicate cassis, graphite, and faded violet nuances. A legendary wine for this estate, equal to the 1982 but ageing better. Drinking Window: 2014 - 2020
Tasted by: Ian D’Agata

The 1986 Pichon-Lalande has long been one of the standout wines of the decade, and served blind, this suggests that it might have the 1982 in its sights. In many ways, it is the twin brother of the Cabernet-driven 1996. It bolts out of the stable doors with intense blackberry and cedar aromas – pure Cabernet – and reveals touches of mint with time. The palate is medium-bodied and thankfully less obdurate than a decade ago; the tannins have mellowed in recent years and secondary notes of sage and graphite are now more expressive. I once described the 1986 as "broad-shouldered." It remains just that, but it has learned some grace and manners. This is a clear high point for the estate. Tasted blind at lunch at The Glasshouse in London. Aug 2019

Marvellous old Bordeaux with delicate cassis, graphite, and faded violet nuances. A legendary wine for this estate, equal to the 1982 but ageing better.

Just now emerging from a very clumsy, dormant period, Pichon Lalande's dense ruby/purple coloured 1986 still has the colour of a 4-5 year old wine. This is the most tannic and backward Pichon Lalande after 1975 and before 1996. The wine was completely closed down until just recently. The wine shows notes of cedar, blackcurrants, earth, spice box and liquorice, followed by a medium to full bodied, very concentrated, intense palate with a still noticeable tannic structure, a relatively big, muscular style for Pichon Lalande. Drink now-2015.

Tobacco, cassis, cigar box, truffle, 5 Spice, olives and earthy scents introduce this brawny, old school, masculine styled wine. Robust and powerful, this brawny Pauillac will age for decades, but it's never go to become charming or offer the elegance found in other 80's vintages of Pichon Lalande like 82, 83, 85 or 89. Tasted May 2011