1986 Cheval Blanc Bordeaux Blend - France - Bordeaux - St Emilion - Red - Premier Grand Cru Classe A

One of the finest 1986s I can remember. Pale/mid ruby. Very rich, sweet and subtle on the nose. So much more luscious than most 1986s. Round and supple. All that tannin has magically melted. Good bordeaux needs a very long time, children.

Another wine that seems to have some youthful characteristics, a high level of tannin and a lack of succulence and substance may ultimately prove to produce a wine somewhat out of balance. The wine shows plum, fig, cherry, earthy, mineral notes and medium body, but the elevated tannins in the finish are distracting. Nevertheless, the wine has a youthfulness and vigor that make it far less evolved than its more seductive older siblings, the 1983 and 1985. Last tasted, 12/02.

At one time I thought the 1986 was better than the 1985, but the open-knit charm and currant exotic personality of the 1985 makes a more persuasive case for it than for the more reserved, tannic, and backward 1986. The 1986 still has a youthful dark ruby saturated color with no amber at the edge. The wine possesses a developing bouquet that offers up weedy tobacco, juxtaposed with sweet black berry, raspberry, and cherry fruit. The new oak that was so obvious in the wine's youth has moved to the background, offering more of a cedary character than raw wood. Medium to full-bodied, and moderately tannic, this is a delineated Cheval Blanc with more of a Medoc personality than typical St.-Emilion opulence. The wine is rich, intense, and well-made, but still requiring a few more years of bottle age. Last tested 12/97.

Not as good as expected. I have not tasted it for almost 10 years. Good ruby color. Aromas of leather, berry and horse. Slight raisin character. Full-bodied, with fine tannins. Somewhat pointed and dry. A bit rough. Where is it going?--Bordeaux retrospective. Drink now.

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