1986 Château Pichon Baron
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
Significantly deeper in colour than the 1985, highlighting that in these decades vintage made all the difference, because there were less techniques to mitigate the challenges. The Pauillac tannins are out on display, and the overall feel is darker, charcoal, cassis, cigar box, tobacco. Not generous, but you feel very much a time capsule of Pauillac at an age where the Cabernet Sauvignon takes on finesse and delicacy without losing shoulders and structure. They began to lower yields at this point, but still up at around 55hl/h. Last year with the Bouteiller family as owners of the estate, in place since the 1930s.
Critic scores
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 1986 Pichon-Longueville Baron was tasted from magnum because the château has nary a 750-milliliter left at the property. It has a difficult act to follow after the 1996, indeed, the aromatics leave something to be desired - earthy and dusty, just as austere as I have found previous bottles. The palate is medium-bodied with light tannin, mushroom and leather on the entry and not much really follows it. I feel guilty pillorying a generously donated magnum. It serves as a testament to how far this Pauillac estate has improved in recent years. Drink this soon if you have any bottles. Tasted July 2016.
...The 1986 has turned out to be one of the best wines made from (Pichon-Longueville Baron). Deep black/ruby in color, with a fragrant, expansive bouquet of oak and blackcurrants, this brawny, full-bodied, rich wine has plenty of tannin yet, atypically for the vintage, a pleasing suppleness...
About the producer
Pauillac’s Ch. Pichon Baron, formerly known as Ch. Pichon-Longueville Baron, is ranked as one of the 15 Second Growths from the 1855 Classification and is considered one of the "Super Seconds".