Château Margaux 1986 is a red grand vin from the Margaux appellation, which is part of Médoc; it is a First Growth bottled by Château Margaux. It was a vintage led by Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1986 was a Cabernet year on the whole Left Bank.
Budbreak began late, and flowering proceeded normally, but this was followed by a hot, sunny, and extremely dry summer. This led to prolonged drought stress, and by early September, most of the vines had ceased vegetative growth. Rain fell in the middle of the month, and a massive storm that followed caused flooding in some areas of Bordeaux, diluting the concentration of Merlot in the process. The patient growers were rewarded. The harvest began on 23 September, and the following three weeks were hot, sunny, and windy, conditions that were nearly ideal for the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon variety grown on gravelly soil.
The harvest was bountiful, yielding at least 15% more than in 1985. Despite the bumper crop, and thanks to the very well-ripened, thick-skinned Cabernet grapes, this wine has a solid structure. The 1986 Château Margaux has long been described as a wine meant for long-term aging, and a taste of the wine reveals why.
Robert Parker (96)
The 1986 Margaux continues to be the most powerful, tannic, and muscular Margaux made in decades. One wonders if the 1928 or 1945 had as much power and depth as the 1986? The black/ruby/purple color reveals no sign of age. The reluctant nose offers up aromas of smoky, toasty new oak and black currants, as well as a few flowers. The wine is mammoth, with extraordinary extract, superb balance, and a frightfully tannic finish. This is a Margaux of immense stature, made in a masculine, full-bodied style that is in complete contrast to the 1990. It should prove nearly immortal in terms of aging potential, but will it have the awesome potential I first predicted? Anticipated maturity: 2000-2050.
Winespectator (93)
Racy and powerful. Black color. Currants, tar and dried herbs. Full-bodied, with firm tannins. Slightly hollow center palate--a bit of a letdown. Better with more bottle age.--Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2003. –JS
Jancis Robinson (18.5)
Bright, youthful-looking crimson. The most notably thing about this wine is its dramatically opulent, almost spicy, nose. This is very fruity, fine, elegant wine that is so concentrated, almost brutal, it is very far from the Margaux stereotype. There is no shortage of subtlety, however. This is probably the second most successful left bank 1986.
Vinous (98)
The 1986 Chateau Margaux was even more emotionally moving. Still incredibly youthful, it showed incredible focus and depth, all backed up by considerable structure. As hard as it may seem to believe, on this night the 1986 appeared to still be some years away from peaking. It was striking in every way.
Rene Gabriel (20)
Rene Gabriel rates this wine 20/20 points.
BOW (9)
