Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1986

robert_parker98

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the château, the 1986 Lafite-Rothschild continues to offer an exquisite bouquet at 30 years of age. This is beautifully defined, still full of energy, with copious blackberry, clove, leather and graphite aromas that seem to gain momentum in the glass. The palate is extremely well balanced with a crystalline quality, filigree tannin, perfectly pitched acidity, a quintessential Lafite-Rothschild with a sense of energy and focus undiminished by time. This finish displays immense purity and refinement, one of the most mineral-driven Lafites that I have encountered, whilst the aftertaste seems to linger for over one minute. It must rank as one of the finest wines from the estate. Tasted July 2016.

robert_parker99

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The 1986 possesses outstanding richness, a deep color, medium body, a graceful, harmonious texture, and superb length. The penetrating fragrance of cedar, chestnuts, minerals, and rich fruit is a hallmark of this wine. Powerful, dense, rich, and tannic, as well as medium to full-bodied, with awesome extraction of fruit, this Lafite has immense potential. Patience is required. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2030. Last tasted, 6/93.

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

A very deep black/garnet colour. It has a dense, broody, backward nose with blackberry, cedar, kirsch and a touch of ginger, an odd mixture of austerity and funkiness. The palate is extremely concentrated and tannic as one might expect with lots of glycerin on the finish. Evolves some attractive peppermint notes with time with maraschino cherry on the aftertaste although the more I taste this, the last personality I find. More impressive than pleasurable. Drink now-2020+ Tasted November 2006.

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: William Kelley

The 1986 Lafite Rothschild unfurls in the decanter and glass with aromas of earthy blackcurrant fruit mingled with notions of cigar box and red berries. Richer and darker in profile than the 1975 drunk alongside, it's medium to full-bodied, ample and concentrated, displaying a velvety attack and a lively core of fruit, with just a touch of the tannic asperity that often defines this vintage in the Médoc making itself felt on the finish. As it approaches its 40th birthday, the 1986 Lafite still needs several hours' decant to show its best.

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

When I first tasted this, it displayed some sur-maturite with a very hedonistic kirsch nose. An exotic Lafite. Then at the Lafite vertical in December 2005. Deep garnet core with deep brick rim. A muted nose of black cherries, figs and a touch of sweet caramel. Superb definition, so opulent and downright sexy. The palate is beautifully balance with seamless tannins. Very rich and opulent, velvety smooth and loaded with glycerin. Still quite backward with tannins that lacquer the mouth on the finish. Superb length. A top-class Lafite that will go on and on.

robert_parker99

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Tasted 4 Times Since Bottling With Consistent Notes The 1986 possesses outstanding richness, a deep color, medium body, a graceful, harmonious texture, and superb length. The penetrating fragrance of cedar, chestnuts, minerals, and rich fruit is a hallmark of this wine. Powerful, dense, rich, and tannic, as well as medium to full-bodied, with awesome extraction of fruit, this Lafite has immense potential. Patience is required. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2030.

robert_parker100

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The 1986 possesses outstanding richness, a deep color, medium body, a graceful, harmonious texture, and superb length. The penetrating fragrance of cedar, chestnuts, minerals, and rich fruit is a hallmark of this wine. Powerful, dense, rich, and tannic, as well as medium to full-bodied, with awesome extraction of fruit, this Lafite has immense potential. Patience is required. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2030. Last tasted 11/94

vinous96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 1986 Lafite-Rothschild is a great wine although over several recent encounters it is never a convincing perfect wine. This mirrors the bottle I tasted at the property in 2016: blackberry and graphite on the nose, gawky at first, but coalescing with time. The palate is well balanced with firm tannins, strong graphite scents unfolding with time, superb energy if not delivering quite the finesse and precision that the very best Lafite-Rothschild will bestow. This is a wine that benefits from long decanting, say five or six hours, though it never quite reaches the ethereal heights that it could have done. Tasted at the International Business & Wine First Growth Dinner at the Four Seasons.

vinous96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 1986 Lafite-Rothschild is a great wine although assessing the wine over several recent bottles I have never regarded it as a perfect wine (indeed, this was put into sharp relief when compared to the 1953.) This mirrored the bottle I tasted at the property in 2016: blackberry and graphite on the nose, gawky at first but coalescing with time. The palate is well balanced with firm tannins, strong graphite scents unfolding with time, superb energy if not delivering quite the finesse and precision that the very best Lafite-Rothschild will bestow. This is a wine that benefits from long decanting, say five or six hours, though it never quite reaches the ethereal heights that it could have done. Tasted at the International Business & Wine First Growth Dinner at the Four Seasons.