1986 Pichon Lalande

[M Albert Bouffard]

1986 Pichon Lalande - 95 points

From 375, the cork almost shot. Mature disc. With a little air, this develops a beautifully classic PL nose that reminds me of the '82 - lots of violets, chocolate, blueberry fruit. The nose here is very classy, which is an interesting (and stark) contrast to the relatively austere and grainy palate. At first, at least. But thankfully the palate really rounds out with some air - it picks up a little more fruit and chocolate and the mouth feel is a little more plush. Or is that just the result of drinking half a bottle of wine? Who's to say? At any rate, I think this is probably drinking at or close to peak from half bottle. Still needs around an hour in the decanter to be at best, but you certainly get the sense that it's not holding anything back.

[Jeff Leve]

Marc... I have friends that like the 1986 Pichon Lalande. But I sold all my bottles. It was too rustic and severe in nature.

[M Albert Bouffard]

Certainly the beefiest PL I've had. What a beautiful nose, though! How do you feel about the other 86s? I haven't had many of them but I really enjoyed the Gruaud.

[Jeff Leve]

Certainly the beefiest PL I've had. What a beautiful nose, though! How do you feel about the other 86s? I haven't had many of them but I really enjoyed the Gruaud.

1986 Gruaud Larose is one of the best wines of the vintage. There are a few others I like as well. You can follow this link for a few tips on 1986 Bordeaux wines I like: 1986 Best Bordeaux wine for the money today

[Christer Byklum]

I've had these four bottles since April, and I quite like it.....


1986 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande:
Bottom neck fill. Ruby, garnet rim, tight and more closed than several bottles lately. Cassis, bell peppers, licorice. Towards high acidity, high level of ripe tannins, intense, young and rough. This bottle would have needed another fifteen years. 92

1986 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande;
Ruby, garnet rim. Fresh nose, green paprika, cassis, furnish polish, herbs, nettles, awkward bottle. Somewhat lean palate, ripe tannins, absolutely not an optimal bottle. Faulty storage?

1986 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande;
(Magnum) In the neck fill. Ruby, superb and elegant nose, needed time to open fully, seductive, elegant lady in almost see through silk dress. Firmer palate, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, adding body with air, youthful, long finish. 94+

1986 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande;
(Magnum) A level fill, ruby with garnet rim. Tight and focused nose, red fruits, lamb leather, some tobacco, after ten minutes more integrated as the body seems to broaden. Needed twenty minutes to get floral, violets and more punch. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, evolving nicely, stone from plums, long length. 93