1986 Haut Brion Pessac Leognan

1986 Haut Brion Pessac Leognan

WEIRD VINTAGE
I hosted a blind tasting of Bordeaux 86 vintage, the results were all over the place. According to the 9 attendees vote (not all are wine connoisseurs), the favorite was a fifth growth, while wines like this first growth didn't get much attention and ended up 3rd. I wasn't fully persuaded, it was with Cabernet Franc nose, a bit earthy but not obvious. Content was quite vanilla driven, rather big wine, still very tannic. Thought this to be a Lynch Bages! I need to do another proper 86 tasting.

1 Oct 2014
My #2 in a blind tasting (#1 is an ex chateau Clerc Milon 86, a modest 5th growth. Consensus vote by the way), initially, it possesses some Cabernet franc nose, the palette was right with loads of vanilla, very tannic. As time flies, the wine opened up to be much more powerful & definitely more fruits, and slowly evolved to turn elegant. While the price tag is high, it gives equal pleasure. I love Haut Brion!