It's my gut feeling that the 1986 is, along with the 1982, the finest Talbot made at this estate since the legendary 1945. The fact that there are 40,000 cases of this wine is good news for the consumer, as there will be plenty to go around. The wine, which has been so special since the first taste from cask, is classically structured, with a penetrating fragrance of peppery, spicy, weedy black currants and tar, an enormous concentration of flavor on the palate, and staggering length. The tannins are noticeable, but they are ripe tannins, somewhat softer than those found in many of the 1986 Medocs. In comparison with stablemate Gruaud-Larose, the Talbot is more developed and flattering to taste today. This should prove to be an extraordinarily long-lived wine, and, as are virtually all the Cordier wines, a marvelous value for your money. Anticipated maturity: Now-2020.