Chateau Haut Brion 1986

WEINWISSER: "Dunkel mit einer dezenten Reife im Untergrund. Recht intensives und erstaunlich geöffnetes Bouquet, viel Zederntöne, dominikanischer Tabak, typische, aber passende Jodnote, sich nur langsam öffnend. Im Gaumen komplex, für einen 1986er mit erstaunlichem Finessenpower, samtig, fester Körper, viel Druck im Finale, noch zu jung, vielleicht eine Art 1964er-plusplus, grossartiges Alterungspotenzial."

DECANTER: "A seductive mix of brambly autumnal fruits, black truffles, graphite and cigar box, this is absolutely ready to drink now and yet will continue to unwind and deliver for decades to come. The tannic structure is still noticeable, even at 32 years old, and it propels the fruit forward to a fresh, minty finish. I tasted this with a lovely group from the Napa Valley Reserve who were on a trip to Bordeaux in October. Drinking Window 2018 - 2040."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "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!"

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Lively and rich and fully mature. Less density than the Mouton 1986 served blind alongside this wine. It hits the palate with sweet earthiness but leaves it with a firm dryness. Very appetising and nuanced."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Tasted at the château, the 1986 Haut Brion is a vintage that I had not tasted for some time. It is a blend of 28% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 62% Cabernet Sauvignon according to the chateau's records. Mirroring the 1996 La Mission, in this vintage that Haut-Brion occupies a higher quality level, with more complexity and vivacity on the nose: dusky black fruit, warm gravel, terracotta and cigar humidor. Lovely! The palate is very well balanced, maybe a little rustic compared to recent vintages, yet with firm body and grip. It's the kind of gruff, almost surly, broad-shouldered 1986s that might be a little curmudgeonly compared to 1985 or 1989, however after 30 years you are compensated with plenty of freshness and focus. I don't think it ranks up there with the best of the First Growth...that would come in other vintages, but it still provides plenty of drinking pleasure for those who love their classic claret with capital "C". Tasted July 2016."

FALSTAFF: "Kräftiges Karmingranat, breiter Ockerrand, Orangereflexe. In der Nase reife Weichsel-Kirsch-Frucht, zart nach Schokolade und kandierten Orangenzesten, feine tabakige Würze, braucht Luft. Saftige reife Zwetschgenfrucht, angenehme Extraktsüße, lebendiges Säurespiel, feine dunkle Beerenfrucht im Abgang, sehr ausgewogen, mittlere Komplexität, zart nach Bitterschokolade im Rückgeschmack."