A tasting of two 40 year old bottles that have rested in my cellar since release
Tasted blind
Both wines were drinking amazingly and both have plenty of life left in them
The crowd favorite for the night was the Gruaud
Lafite 1986
Nose Pure sweet dark fruit beautiful herbal notes
Taste Sweet dark fruit big tannins touch of cedar and tobacco Long beautiful finish
Gruaud Larose 1986
Nose Massive cedar cherry with smokey notes
Taste Smooth sweet smokey tannic tobacco big tannins dark fruit touch of sweetness huge tannic finish. Great sweet dark fruit with tremendous complexity
by nycnewsjunkie
5 Comments
1986 was a strong vintage in Bordeaux. A little surprised by the results.
Was served Petrus 1986 a few weeks ago – a first Petrus for me – and shipped direct from the chateau many decades ago. My initial impression was that although the tannins and oak were thoroughly resolved, the wine tasted youthful, light, with virtually no mushroom or forest floor notes. Nimble with a long finish, but still elegantly fruity – clearly has decades of life to go.
Thank you for the notes! How did you serve these? Decant 1-2 hrs?
I had the 86 Gruard Larose way back in maybe 94/95 it was gorgeous then I can imagine how great it is now.
I know the 1987 vintage pales in comparison to the 1986, but this still excites me to open my 87 Gruaud. Thank you for the notes!