buy wines according to the vintage

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.

Best Wines of 1997: Which Wines to Buy from the 1997 Vintage?

The 1997 vintage is widely regarded as a classic year, especially in Bordeaux and Burgundy, with a few other regions producing wines of exceptional quality. The year was marked by a warm growing season, allowing grapes to ripen fully, producing wines with excellent balance, power, and aging potential. These wines exhibit richness, complex aromas, and great depth.

Bordeaux 1997: A Vintage of Elegance and Complexity

1997 is considered one of the great years in Bordeaux, particularly for the Left Bank, where the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes reached perfect ripeness. The wines are known for their balanced structure, deep fruit concentration, and a beautiful harmony between fruit, tannins, and acidity. The Right Bank also produced wines of exceptional quality, particularly in Saint-Émilion.

Best Wines:

Château Margaux (Médoc): A wine of extraordinary elegance, with aromas of blackcurrant, floral notes, and subtle oak, with silky tannins.
Château Lafite Rothschild (Pauillac): A wine with great finesse, marked by complex notes of graphite, black fruits, and a fine mineral edge.
Château Latour (Pauillac): A deep, structured wine, offering rich black fruit, tobacco, and earthy flavors, with exceptional aging potential.
Château Cheval Blanc (Saint-Émilion): A wine with a superb balance of ripe fruit and spice, displaying complexity and a long, refined finish.

To Buy: The Grands Châteaux of Bordeaux, such as Château Margaux, Château Lafite Rothschild, and Château Latour, which are known for their complexity and excellent aging potential.

Burgundy 1997: A Warm and Expressive Vintage

In Burgundy, the 1997 vintage produced wines with exceptional fruit purity and ripeness. The Pinot Noirs show richness and concentration, with soft tannins and vibrant acidity, while the Chardonnays are round and expressive, displaying rich fruit and minerality.

Best Wines:

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits): A wine of great complexity, with deep aromas of red fruits, flowers, and a fine, velvety texture.
Domaine Leflaive (Puligny-Montrachet): A Chardonnay of exceptional quality, with flavors of ripe orchard fruits, honey, and a distinct mineral finish.
Domaine Armand Rousseau (Gevrey-Chambertin): A rich, expressive Pinot Noir with dark berry flavors, balanced tannins, and a long finish.
Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé (Musigny): An elegant wine with complex floral and fruit notes, showing finesse and subtlety.

To Buy: The top Burgundy Pinot Noirs from Côte de Nuits and Chardonnays from Puligny-Montrachet for their richness and aging potential.

Rhône Valley 1997: A Vintage of Power and Precision

In the Rhône Valley, 1997 was marked by an ideal growing season, particularly in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côte-Rôtie, where the wines are characterized by their concentration and complexity. The southern Rhône wines are powerful with rich fruit and spice, while the northern Rhône wines show great structure and elegance.

Best Wines:

Château de Beaucastel (Châteauneuf-du-Pape): A powerful and complex wine, with rich notes of dark fruit, garrigue, and spices, with a long finish.
Guigal (Côte-Rôtie): A wine of great elegance and depth, with aromas of dark fruit, violets, and a hint of smokiness.
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave (Hermitage): A rich, dense wine with dark fruit, leather, and complex spice flavors, showing great aging potential.
Domaine du Pegau (Châteauneuf-du-Pape): A structured wine, with ripe fruit, spices, and earthy undertones, offering excellent longevity.

To Buy: Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Hermitage for their depth, power, and aging potential.

Piedmont (Italy) 1997: A Vintage of Refinement for Nebbiolo Wines

1997 was a superb vintage for Barolo and Barbaresco in Piedmont. The Nebbiolo wines from this year are refined, with a beautiful balance of fruit, acidity, and tannin. These wines offer both power and elegance, with complex aromas and a long aging potential.

Best Wines:

Gaja (Barbaresco): A wine of exceptional elegance, with aromas of black fruit, rose, and tobacco, with a fine, structured palate.
Vietti (Barolo): A powerful Barolo, offering dark fruit, spices, and leather, with a complex structure and great aging potential.
Pio Cesare (Barbaresco): A refined wine with aromas of red fruit, flowers, and earth, showing elegance and balance.
Bruno Giacosa (Barbaresco): A complex and elegant wine, with rich fruit, earth, and spice aromas, offering exceptional depth.

To Buy: Barolo and Barbaresco for their balance, refinement, and aging potential.

California 1997: A Vintage of Elegance and Intensity

1997 was a warm year in California, but the wines show great balance and refinement. Particularly successful were the Napa Valley Cabernets, which offer rich fruit, tobacco, and spice, with fine tannins and a lengthy finish.

Best Wines:

Opus One (Napa Valley): A wine of great richness, with dark fruit, tobacco, and cedar notes, and a well-balanced structure.
Robert Mondavi (Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon): A complex wine with cassis, black fruit, and spice notes, showing elegance and balance.
Harlan Estate (Napa Valley): A powerful, complex wine, with dark fruit, chocolate, and tobacco flavors, showing a great potential for aging.
Araujo (Napa Valley): A rich and refined wine, with aromas of black fruit, spices, and subtle oak.

To Buy: Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons for their complexity, richness, and aging potential.

Champagne 1997: A Vintage of Depth and Elegance

1997 in Champagne was a year with perfect growing conditions, yielding wines with excellent balance, depth, and complexity. The Champagnes from this year show richness, with flavors of ripe fruit, brioche, and toasted nuts, and are perfect for aging.

Best Wines:

Krug (Champagne Millésimé): A wine of extraordinary complexity, with aromas of ripe fruit, brioche, and nuts, and a long, fresh finish.
Dom Pérignon (Champagne Millésimé): Elegant and refined, with fresh fruit, floral notes, and a distinct mineral edge.
Salon (Champagne Millésimé): A fine, precise Champagne with delicate fruit flavors and a long, structured finish.
Bollinger (Champagne Millésimé): Powerful and complex, with notes of dried fruit, brioche, and honey.

To Buy: Millésimé Champagnes for their complexity, finesse, and aging potential.

Summary of the 1997 Vintage:

Bordeaux 1997: An exceptional vintage with wines of great balance, power, and aging potential, particularly from the Left Bank.
Burgundy 1997: A warm vintage producing wines of exceptional richness, with excellent aging potential.
Rhône Valley 1997: Powerful, concentrated wines with great aging potential, particularly from Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côte-Rôtie.
Piedmont 1997: A vintage of refinement, particularly for Barolo and Barbaresco, offering balance, elegance, and aging potential.
California 1997: A warm vintage producing elegant and complex wines, especially from Napa Valley.
Champagne 1997: A vintage of depth and elegance, with wines showing great complexity and aging potential.

The 1997 vintage stands out as one of the great years, producing wines with a harmonious balance of power, elegance, and depth, making them perfect for collectors and enthusiasts looking to age them for years to come.