Description
Bought on BFW in January 2018 & stored in my Eurocave until 2020 at which point it was transferred to Nickolls & Perks temperature controlled storage until February 23.
Fill level is approx base of neck. (See notes below- 100/100, Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate,
The 1986 Mouton-Rothschild is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Frank & 2% Petit Verdot that was picked from 2 October until 16 October. Wine maker Philip Dhalluin, who was not working for at the property back then, told me that the pH was fairly low at 3.54, when it was usually around 3.75, due to the natural tartaric acid in the vines. It has a powerful & intense bouquet as always: exemplary graphite & cedar scents, a touch of black pepper & incense. It seems to unfurl in the glass, like a motor revving its engine. The palate is beautifully balanced with its trademark firm tannic structure, a Mouton-Rothschild with backbone & masculinity. Layers of black fruit intermingling with mint & grafite, a hint of licorice emanating from the Merlot, gently fanning out & my God, it is incredibly long. It is not like the 1985 Mouton-Rothschild that is so fleshy & generous. This is serious, aristocratic Mouton, a true vin de garde & yes, I do think drinkers will have to wait until it reaches its true peak. Sometimes that's just how it is. Tasted September 2016. Neal Martin-
30 December 2016. Further tasting notes below-n100/100, James Suckling this was the greatest bottle of the 1986 Mouton I have ever drunk. I have been lucky enough to drink it many times, but on occasions it has come across as very tight and reserved, even hard. Yet on this special night last Friday in Bangkok it was perfect- the perfect wine that it was purported to be for a very long time. How strange that the owner of Mouton, Philippine de Rothschild, died the same day. Please read my tribute to here. The bottle we drank showed amazing aromas of mushrooms, mint, minerals and dark berries. It boasted a fully body of ultra richness and extraordinary length and beauty. It has almost chiseled precision to the quality with fabulous length. It last for minutes on the palate. My thai friend decanted it for hours before serving..
99/100, Antoanio Galloni, Vinous.nPhilippe Dhalluin served the 1986 Mouton-Rothschild to wrap up our vertical. The 1986 remains one of my favourite Moutons. A dark, powerful wine, the 1986 is endowed with vertical sense of structure that is a marvel to behold.
Dark stone fruit, smoke, grafite, mocha, soy & licorice are fused together with a marvellously intense, deep Mouton that promises to drink well for another few decades. Tonight, the 1986 is absolutely stunning. Harvest started on 2 October & wrapped up on the 16th. (Antonio Galloni, 05/01/16)
Anticipated maturity 2016-2036. More-99/100, Wine Spectator, Ageless, yet balanced. Black colour Mint, mineral, berry and cherry. Full-bodied, chewy and tight. Long, long finish. A great, great wine.-Bordeaux retrospective. Drink now- JS
Review date: 30/6/2001, Drinking window 2012-2035.