1986 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
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Tasting notes
Fermented in cement and aged 2 years in foudres and 1 year in barriques (of which very little new oak). A very high quality vintage, says Jimmy Hayes, estate director. Browning rim. Restrained aromas on the nose of mulch and mushroom, meat extract and soya sauce, all so savoury, a little leathery, but still a light herbaceous freshness. Just a touch of eucalyptus. Dry, paper-fine texture, so cool and fresh and still with life ahead. (JH)
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Robert Parker
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
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The 1986 Cabernet Sauvignon is a great example of the magic that can develop in a great wine over time. Miraculously timeless, the 1986 shows just how beautiful wines from this hillside property are. Sweet herbs, dried flowers, red stone fruits and tobacco linger on the translucent, weightless finish. The 1986 turns soft, delicate and a touch fleeting over time, but it is still quite pretty and an excellent choice for drinking over the next decade or so. Today, the 1986 is a real stunner.
A deep garnet color with negligible lightening at the edge suggests a relatively young wine. The nose offers up musty, foresty, damp cellar aromas with little fruit in evidence. Shrill acidity, hard tannin, and an underlying weediness dominate the wine's flavors and personality. This austere, tough-textured wine lacks ripeness, extract, and charm. Although it is capable of lasting for years, it is unlikely to develop into anything special. The tasting notes for this section are from two single blind tastings, one conducted in May, 1996, in California, and the other in June, 1996, in Baltimore.