Still young-looking and – young-smelling. Very full and rich nose. Opulent. Slightly dusty. Even more robust than most other vintages.

Professional content appears courtesy of Vinfolio

In contrast to the elegant, graceful, finesse-filled 1985 (which may turn out to resemble the classic 1953 in 15 years), the 1986 is a great wine, but so, so backward and tannic. This huge, dense, medium- to full-bodied wine exhibits tremendously rich, classic, weedy, black currant fruitiness with airing, and boasts the judicious use of new oak barrels. The tannins are elevated, but then this is a seriously concentrated, old-style, intense wine for long-term cellaring. The more I taste the 1986 Leoville-Barton, the more impressed I become with the wine's extraordinary power, density, and richness. However, it is not a wine for readers seeking immediate gratification. Although spectacular, it requires another 5-6 years of cellaring. It will easily last for half a century. Last tasted 3/97

Professional content appears courtesy of Vinfolio

Locked up tight with dense currant, spice and cedar flavors framed by tannins. On the finish there are hints of elegance and grace.

Professional content appears courtesy of Vinfolio

Believe it or not, this wine is still inky! I wonder if it has budged at all through the past couple decades? A flamboyant, youthful and exuberant nose that is full of cassis, truffles, loam, mocha, lilacs and even hints at fig in its underbelly. While the palate has a subtle decadence about itself, fashioned with layers of chocolate covered cherries, the texture becomes so overtly muscular on the finish & completely dries out the palate. I couldn'thelp but think of a young Nebbiolo when I was greeted w/ the ?86 Barton?s series set of tannins. A true vin de garde, masculine to a t. While this wine will undoubtedly hold for decades, will it ever actually evolve? Makes me think of the evolution for a Napa cab in that regard?