Chateau Talbot 1986

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "A fabulous wine, and one of the two greatest Talbots of the last 50 years, this wine still has a very murky garnet/plum/purple color and a spectacular nose of sweet creme de cassis intermixed with freshly ground pepper, melted road tar, herbes de Provence, and beef blood. It is followed by an enormously concentrated wine of full body, layers of concentration and sweet tannin. The wine seems to be just hitting its plateau of maturity, where it should last for at least 10-15 more years. A prodigious Talbot. Anticipated maturity: Now-2020. Last tasted, 6/02."

DECANTER: "The weather in 1986 suited Cabernet extremely well, with some early September rains after a good July and August, then fine weather right through the rest of the month and into October, giving exceptional harvesting conditions. You can see it in the colour, and smell it on the nose that remains subdued but confident. It's a lovely wine, a little austere compared to some of the older wines but full of firm, dark blackberry and blackcurrant fruit, tight tannins, and with dancing acidity across the palate that suggests it's going nowhere anytime soon. The fruits are not primary but are at least in the early bloom of Cabernet Sauvignon, and it has a mouthwatering finish. A fine and well-structured St-Julien, with plenty of appellation typicity. 3% Cabernet Franc makes up the blend. Drinking Window 2018 - 2040"

JANCIS ROBINSON: "This exceptional charmer is deep ruby with a brick rim but less yellow than the Figeac. The nose is extremely opulent by any standards, but especially for this vintage. The flavour is deeply intriguing in a classical way. It's full and spreads comfortingly over the palate. Complete, concentrated and very successful for a Talbot, although the acidity became more obvious in the glass and there was a very slight hint of something metallic on the finish."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Powerful, masculine, brawny and still tannic, the wine is concentrated with beefy, dark fruits, earth and tobacco. Classic in style, with a lot of earth, cigar box, cedar and barnyard, some people are going to like this more than others."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Big, rich, muscular style with St.-Julien grace; a spicy, oaky and red currant wine with concentrated, powerful flavors flanked by firm tannins that will benefit from cellaring."