| 1986 Vintage: General Appreciation |
| Another rather controversial vintage where at the time it was hailed as a great one by some and in certain quarters compared favourably with 1985. It is however, a highly inconsistent vintage and in general doesn’t even come close to 1985. The growing season got off to a good start but by mid-August the weather turned bad with too much rain which continued throughout much of September leading to too much humidity and a considerable quantity of rotten grapes. It was an abundant crop and in many cases insufficient care was taken to reduce yields. As ever, there are wines that contradict every generalisation but in the main, most of the 86’s are too dilute. Selection is of the utmost importance with the 86’s. Chardonnay was also picked late and there was concentration and ripeness. A few top examples have survived but most should have been consumed. |
Best White Wines of the Vintage
| White Wines of the Vintage |
| Puligny Montrachet: Batard Montrachet (Leflaive), Bienvenues Batard Montrachet (Louis Carillon), Chevalier Montrachet Les Demoiselles (Jadot), Montrachet (Marquis de Laguiche/Drouhin) |
