1986 La Louviere
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Tasting notes
Magnum. Denis Dubourdieu was consultant for this first vintage of Pessac-Léognan AOC. They'd started to understand oak ageing. Had to use new barrels. Winemaking processes were much less understood then, especially the mechanism of ageing on lees. They made white wine in tanks and then put it in barrels, and also used more sulphur, did shorter ageing in oak, without lees. Good freshness that year. Their main problem is cork. A bit of TCA in this, alas, and the second magnum was even worse. Green and still fresh and leafy. Rather vague and tertiary with, again, lots to chew on. Quite long. But much livelier than most 1986 white burgundies would be. Maybe a hint of the old high-sulphur character and just a hint of TCA. (JR)
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Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The red wine from La Louviere is made in a style that is meant to be drunk young, and the 1986 is no exception. It is a soft wine, but rich in flavor, with a weedy, tobacco, spicy fruitiness, deep color, and fleshy, sweet, concentrated flavors. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 3/89.
The red wine from La Louviere is made in a style that is meant to be drunk young, and the 1986 is no exception. It is a soft wine, but rich in flavor, with a weedy, tobacco, spicy fruitiness, deep color, and fleshy, sweet, concentrated flavors. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 3/89. Jan 1998, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
Wine has been made at this estate since the 1300s, but its modern history begins when the Lurton family purchased it in 1965. The property was in disrepair, but the Lurtons have restored the château, winery and vineyards.