1986 Magdelaine

This wine has been consistently mediocre in all my tastings. The color is a medium ruby with garnet and amber at the edge. The wine reveals a distinctive earthiness and herbaceousness that are far stronger components than either the wine's fruit or vintage character. There is plenty of tannin, but the mid-palate is hollow and unimpressive. This is an austere, empty wine with insufficient depth of fruit and flesh. It was made during a period when Magdelaine seemed to be off-form. Last tasted 03/95. Robert Parker, Bordeaux Book, 3rd Edition # B1