1986 Beychevelle
By Chateau Beychevelle
1986 Beychevelle from Chateau Beychevelle, St-Julien, Bordeaux
In the pantheon of Bordeaux's vintages, certain years rise to prominence with the whispered reverence reserved for objects of deep desire and complex beauty. The 1986 Beychevelle from Chateau Beychevelle secures its place in this notable lineage with a composition that echoes the gravitas of a truly impressive season.
A Vintage Embracing Elegance and Power
The 1986 vintage from Bordeaux was marked by favourable climatic conditions that resulted in wines of exceptional structure and longevity. Amid this historic vintage, the 1986 Beychevelle exemplifies the balanced interplay between robust tannins and an inherent elegance – a hallmark of the St-Julien appellation. Its evolution over the years has only burnished its standing, enriching the depths of its flavours with layers upon layers of complexity.
Cultivating Excellence Through Aging
Years in exquisitely curated cellars have allowed this wine from Chateau Beychevelle to approach the apogee of its expression. Through meticulous aging, notes have emerged that speak to both its pedigree and its epoch – a timbre of harmonious fruit, undercurrents of truffle and cigars, all cradled by a tertiary bouquet which tells its aged narrative. Decanting unfolds an enchanting assortment of olfactory tessellations that perennially captures the imagination of collectors and connoisseurs alike.
The Righteous Path for Wine Investors
Wine investors looking for a storied bottle with both a reliable past and promising future should pay particular heed to the 1986 Beychevelle as an investable asset. With stock levels waning as seasoned enthusiasts secure their holdings, acquisition is as timely as it is imperative; and in diversifying or enhancing one's portfolio, this venerable vintage from Chateau Beychevelle stands as a paragon of vinous acumen.
In sum, every swirl in the glass brings forth whispers from 1986, echoing through decades. The Beychevelle speaks with an articulate voice within the ranks of fine wines—a testament to St-Julien's hallowed ground and Bordeaux's felicitous seasons. This sophisticated timepiece warrants intense regard from those seeking to invest in Bordeaux's liquid history – making the 1986 Beychevelle a beacon for refinement and resilience in the world of fine wine investment.
Market price (USD)
$1,650.00
12x75cl
Highest score
93
POP score
103.85
Scores and tasting notes
This is just a great Beychevelle, certainly the best of the decade and an indication of just what this wine can do. A deep garnet hue. The nose is typical of the vintage: dense cedar and tobacco infused blackberry, a touch of gypsum, wet sand and wild hedgerow (almost like a the north Norfolk sand-dunes.) The palate is full-bodied with a liquorices tinged entry, firm tannins and structure and impressive concentration, one that would not embarrass Las-Cases! Muscular finish that maintains its sense of delineation and harmony. A great wine. Drink now-2020+. Tasted August 2007.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Sep 2008
While quite outstanding and deserving to be in any conscientiously stocked wine cellar, the 1986 Beychevelle does not quite have the extraordinary concentration and potential for longevity that I had thought it would. Nevertheless, this is still one of the best Beychevelles in the last 30 years. With its black/ruby color and huge bouquet of roasted fruit, this full-bodied, concentrated, rich wine should not be drunk before the mid-1990s. Anticipated maturity: Now-2010. Last tasted, 1/91.
Robert Parker Jr - Bordeaux Book, 3rd Edition
The 1986 Beychevelle, which I tasted from magnum at the château, has what you might describe as a light-hearted nose with joie-de-vivre. Even from a larger format, among many 1986s tasted, this is one of the most approachable with wild strawberry, mulberry, cola and graphite aromas that unfurl in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with spice and clove on the entry. It comes across as fleshier than I was anticipating and atypically for the vintage, tapering towards the finish. Arguably rustic compared to some of its Saint Julien bedfellows, it nonetheless has charm and a sense of classicism. Tasted July 2016.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 30 December 2016