1986 Pichon-Baron, Pauillac

Amazingly elegant and complex featuring rich cedar, currant, black cherry and cassis notes, with grace, harmony and the kind of structure that should ensure it will age beautifully until the turn of the century. The aftertaste echoes cherry flavors. *Ranked #4 on Top 100 Wines of 1989*

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.