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Pichon Lalande 1986

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pauillac
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Label

Tasting Notes

Now at 30 years of age, there is a gulf between the two Pichons in this vintage that no longer exists. The 1986 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande has long been one of the best wines from the estate alongside the 1982 (even if the first bottle was a little oxidized). The second bottle was representative. It has a classic pencil-lead, cedar-infused nose that rockets from the glass, a subtle floral note developing with time. The palate is medium-bodied with supple red berry fruit, a pinch of white pepper and cedar, structured compared to coeval vintages and perhaps further along its drinking plateau than previous examples. Certainly à point, I would be reaching for bottles of this now if you cannot locate those 1982s, or alternatively seek out the superlative 1996. This still remains a fine, rather regal Pichon-Lalande. Drink 2016-2030.

95
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (228), December 2016

The glorious perfume of the 1986 Pichon Lalande was aromatically the most interesting and complex of the three 1986s. Cedar, spice box, black fruits, red cherry, sandalwood and earth notes emerged from its beautiful bouquet. In the mouth, it was silky, medium to full-bodied, and close to its plateau of maturity. Although 21 years of age, it is a late adolescent in terms of its life span.

95
Robert Parker, Hedonists Gazette, August 2007

One of the big surprises of the tasting. Superbly structured, with breathtaking aromas of plums, chocolate and berries that follow through on the palate. Full-bodied, with full tannins and a long, alluring finish. Needs time.--Pichon-Lalande vertical. Best after 2002.

97
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, November 1997
Read more tasting notes...
94
Robert Parker, Bordeaux Book (4), December 2003
94
Robert Parker, Bordeaux Book (3), November 1998

Tasted 7 Times Since Bottling With Consistent Notes

The 1986 is the most tannic, as well as the largest-framed Pichon-Lalande in over three decades. Whether it will ultimately eclipse the 1982 is doubtful, but it will be longer-lived. Dark ruby/purple, with a tight yet profound bouquet of cedar, blackcurrants, spicy oak, and minerals, this full-bodied, deeply concentrated, exceptionally well-balanced wine is, atypically, too brawny and big to drink young. Anticipated maturity: 1994-2015.

96
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (95), October 1994
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.