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1986 Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Bordeaux France Wine Tasting Note

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1986
Château Haut-Brion  (Pessac-Léognan)
95
At 30 years of age this can easily go another 30 years without breaking a sweat. There is a softness to the powerful, ever present tannins that the other top wines from 1986 do not display. The smoky, tobacco driven nose is a treat as well. 2 hours of air will help, and ten more years in the bottle will help even more!

At 30 years of age this can easily go another 30 years without breaking a sweat. There is a softness to the powerful, ever present tannins that the other top wines from 1986 do not display. The smoky, tobacco driven nose is a treat as well. 2 hours of air will help, and ten more years in the bottle will help even more!

4,865 Views   Tasted
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Light up a great Cuban Cigar, eat fresh cherries and blackberries and sit in an herb garden and you'll come close to recreating the perfume. On the masculine side of the style range, the wine is still youthful, concentrated, fresh and tannic. The end note is firm and a bit dry, if you have a bottle and you love old school Bordeaux, pop a cork. If you're hoping for more softness like I am, wait 5-10 more years. There is enough fruit and structure to evolve over that time. This note was taken after 90 minutes in the decanter from a perfectly stored bottle, purchased on release. 6 hours later, the wine improved but there was some dryness in the tannins in the finish. If you do pop a cork today, give this at least 6 hours in the decanter, if you bottle has been well stored.

Light up a great Cuban Cigar, eat fresh cherries and blackberries and sit in an herb garden and you'll come close to recreating the perfume. On the masculine side of the style range, the wine is still youthful, concentrated, fresh and tannic. The end note is firm and a bit dry, if you have a bottle and you love old school Bordeaux, pop a cork. If you're hoping for more softness like I am, wait 5-10 more years. There is enough fruit and structure to evolve over that time. This note was taken after 90 minutes in the decanter from a perfectly stored bottle, purchased on release. 6 hours later, the wine improved but there was some dryness in the tannins in the finish. If you do pop a cork today, give this at least 6 hours in the decanter, if you bottle has been well stored.

5,372 Views   Tasted
Smoke and tobacco coupled with spicy cassis on the nose. There is a slight hardness to the wine. The wine finishes with a black fruit character.

Smoke and tobacco coupled with spicy cassis on the nose. There is a slight hardness to the wine. The wine finishes with a black fruit character.

6,723 Views   Tasted
Still young at 25, this Pessac Leognan is filled with smoke, tar, tobacco, hot stone, cassis, earth, blackberry and spice filled scents. Full bodied, concentrated and balancing masculinity, tannin and charm, this Bordeaux wine has years to go.

Still young at 25, this Pessac Leognan is filled with smoke, tar, tobacco, hot stone, cassis, earth, blackberry and spice filled scents. Full bodied, concentrated and balancing masculinity, tannin and charm, this Bordeaux wine has years to go.

11,956 Views   Tasted
1986 Haut Brion offered smoke, leaf, forest floor and earthy aromas. With rough textures, the wine seemed to be slowly drying out. 89 Pts

1986 Haut Brion offered smoke, leaf, forest floor and earthy aromas. With rough textures, the wine seemed to be slowly drying out. 89 Pts

12,383 Views   Tasted
With a smoky, tobacco, truffle and spice nose, this finesse style of Bordeaux, ended in an elegant spicy, cassis finish

With a smoky, tobacco, truffle and spice nose, this finesse style of Bordeaux, ended in an elegant spicy, cassis finish

8,354 Views   Tasted
Aromas of cassis, earth and minerals could easily be found. The finish was slightly clipped. Not a perfect bottle.

Aromas of cassis, earth and minerals could easily be found. The finish was slightly clipped. Not a perfect bottle.

5,059 Views   Tasted
Initial barnyard notes quickly faded to an intoxicating perfume of smoke, black fruits, cassis, coffee and tobacco. Full bodied and tannic, this needs time. Big, dense layers of black fruit and a slight chalky feeling are found in the finish.

Initial barnyard notes quickly faded to an intoxicating perfume of smoke, black fruits, cassis, coffee and tobacco. Full bodied and tannic, this needs time. Big, dense layers of black fruit and a slight chalky feeling are found in the finish.

5,307 Views   Tasted

When to Drink Chateau Haut Brion, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Haut Brion needs several years, and in the best vintages up to 2 decades time before the wine displays its true character. Haut Brion needs at least 12-20 years of aging, or longer, in good vintages until it is ready to be enjoyed. Young vintages can be decanted for 2-4 hours or more.

This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Chateau Haut Brion offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 15-50 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Haut Brion with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Haut Brion is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Chateau Haut Brion is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau Haut Brion is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, salmon, mushrooms, and pasta.

The white wine of Chateau Haut Brion is best served with a myriad of different seafood dishes, shellfish, crab, lobster, sushi, sashimi, chicken, pork and veal, as well as Asian cuisine.

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