Best Wines of 1986: Which Wines to Buy from 1986?
The 1986 vintage was marked by varying climatic conditions depending on the region, but overall, the quality of the wines produced that year is remarkable. Wines from 1986, especially from major wine regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Rhône, have excellent maturity, solid tannic structure, developed aromas, and great aging potential.
Bordeaux 1986: A Classic, Powerful, and Complex Vintage
The 1986 vintage in Bordeaux was a year of great quality, particularly for the Grand Cru Classés. The year began with cool conditions, followed by a hot summer, allowing for a slow but steady ripening of the grapes. The 1986 wines stand out for their power, complexity, and richness, with a tannic structure that has allowed for beautiful development.
Best Wines:
- Château Margaux (Médoc): A wine of great finesse, elegant and complex, with aromas of black fruit, cedar, graphite, and a silky texture.
- Château Lafite Rothschild (Pauillac): A wine of great power, with notes of black fruit, cedar, tobacco, and a beautiful minerality.
- Château Latour (Pauillac): A robust and concentrated wine, with aromas of black fruit, leather, and licorice, with exceptional aging potential.
- Château Haut-Brion (Pessac-Léognan): A wine of great finesse, with aromas of black fruit, cedar, earth, and a beautiful minerality.
To Buy: The great Bordeaux Crus, particularly Château Margaux, Lafite Rothschild, and Latour, are perfect examples of this vintage and are able to age for many decades.
Burgundy 1986: A Classic, Precise, and Elegant Vintage
The 1986 vintage in Burgundy was marked by varied climatic conditions but was a great success in the most prestigious estates. The red wines, particularly the Pinot Noirs, are characterized by great finesse, aromas of ripe red fruit, underbrush, and licorice, while the Chardonnays show beautiful texture and minerality.
Best Wines:
- Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits): A wine of great complexity and finesse, with aromas of red and black fruit, flowers, and beautiful length.
- Domaine Leflaive (Puligny-Montrachet): A Chardonnay of great elegance, with aromas of yellow fruit, hazelnut, and marked minerality.
- Domaine Armand Rousseau (Gevrey-Chambertin): A Pinot Noir of great class, with aromas of black cherry, leather, and a fine yet present structure.
- Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé (Musigny): A refined and complex wine, with aromas of red fruit, rose, and beautiful minerality.
To Buy: The Grand Crus from the Côte de Nuits and the Chardonnays from Puligny-Montrachet are essential choices for Burgundy lovers from 1986, offering great finesse and aging potential.
Rhône Valley 1986: A Vintage of Great Maturity, with Beautiful Structure
The 1986 vintage in the Rhône Valley was particularly successful for wines from the south, notably Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côte-Rôtie. The climatic conditions of the year allowed for optimal ripening of the grapes, producing rich, powerful wines, but with beautiful aromatic complexity and a tannic structure that promotes aging.
Best Wines:
- Château de Beaucastel (Châteauneuf-du-Pape): A wine of great richness and complexity, with aromas of black fruit, spices, garrigue, and a beautiful tannic structure.
- Guigal (Côte-Rôtie): An elegant wine, with notes of black fruit, pepper, violet, and great complexity.
- Domaine Jean-Louis Chave (Hermitage): A dense and structured wine, with aromas of black fruit, chocolate, leather, and spices.
- Domaine du Pegau (Châteauneuf-du-Pape): A concentrated wine, with aromas of ripe fruit, tobacco, leather, and beautiful tannic structure.
To Buy: Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Hermitage for their complexity, richness, and aging capacity.
Piedmont (Italy) 1986: An Exceptional Vintage for Nebbiolo
1986 was an exceptional year for Nebbiolo wines in Piedmont. The Barolos and Barbarescos from this vintage are of great complexity, with aromas of black fruit, rose, earth, and spices. These wines stand out for their powerful tannic structure and great aging potential.
Best Wines:
- Gaja (Barbaresco): A wine of great elegance, with aromas of black fruit, rose, and tobacco.
- Vietti (Barolo): A Barolo of great complexity, with notes of black cherry, licorice, and leather, and a beautiful tannic structure.
- Pio Cesare (Barbaresco): A refined and powerful wine, with aromas of red fruit, violet, and leather.
- Bruno Giacosa (Barbaresco): A complex and elegant wine, with notes of red fruit, earth, and licorice.
To Buy: The 1986 Barolos and Barbarescos are an excellent choice for Nebbiolo enthusiasts, offering remarkable aromatic complexity and impressive aging potential.
California 1986: A Classic and Elegant Vintage
In California, 1986 was a warm year, but with favorable conditions for balanced grape maturation. The wines produced that year are characterized by rich aromas, silky tannins, and great elegance, particularly for the Napa Valley Cabernets Sauvignon.
Best Wines:
- Opus One (Napa Valley): A wine of great richness, with aromas of black fruit, cedar, chocolate, and a beautiful structure.
- Robert Mondavi (Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon): An elegant and complex wine, with notes of cassis, pepper, and cedar.
- Harlan Estate (Napa Valley): A rich and complex wine, with aromas of black fruit, tobacco, and spices.
To Buy: Napa Valley Cabernets Sauvignon, such as those from Robert Mondavi and Harlan Estate, are perfect for lovers of rich and complex wines from California.
Champagne 1986: An Exceptional Vintage, Elegant and Complex
The 1986 vintage in Champagne is considered an outstanding vintage. The climatic conditions allowed for optimal grape ripeness, and the vintage Champagnes from this year stand out for their richness, aromatic complexity, and great finesse. These Champagnes have exceptional aging potential.
Best Wines:
- Krug (Vintage Champagne): A wine of great complexity, with aromas of ripe fruit, brioche, hazelnut, and a beautiful freshness.
- Dom Pérignon (Vintage Champagne): An elegant wine, with notes of fresh fruit, flowers, and beautiful minerality.
- Bollinger (Vintage Champagne): A powerful and complex Champagne, with aromas of dried fruit, brioche, and honey.
- Salon (Vintage Champagne): A Champagne of great finesse, with aromas of white fruit and beautiful length.
To Buy: The 1986 Vintage Champagnes, especially those from Krug and Dom Pérignon, are must-have choices for their complexity and aging potential.
Summary of the 1986 Vintages:
- Bordeaux 1986: A classic, powerful, complex vintage with excellent aging potential.
- Burgundy 1986: An elegant, precise vintage with great structure, especially for the Grand Crus from the Côte de Nuits.
- Rhône Valley 1986: Powerful, concentrated wines with great tannic structure and complexity.
- Piedmont 1986: An exceptional vintage for Nebbiolos, with rich, powerful wines and great aging potential.
- California 1986: Elegant and complex wines, with remarkable Napa Valley Cabernets.
- Champagne 1986: An exceptional vintage with complex, fine Champagnes.
The 1986 vintage produced wines of great quality in several wine regions, all suited for prolonged aging, offering wines with great complexity and richness.
