1986 Wine and Port Vintage
Vintage Summary and Recommendations: Welcome to Vintage Wine and Port's 1986 wine page. Read on for our summary of the 1986 vintage, our top recommendations and region reports. Scroll down to see all of our wines currently available. If you cannot find what you are looking for please call us on 01425 837177 or Contact Us. We would love to help you with your wine choice!
The 1986 vintage was largely good but stopped short of excellent. In France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Champagne and the Loire all performed well, while Alsace and the Rhône Valley struggled a little more. In wider Europe, both Piedmont and Tuscany had so-so years with few truly stand-out wines, but some good ones were still made. Port and Spain were largely average while Germany and Tokaj were both good.
Our Wine Expert currently recommends the following wines for this year:
This Year in History: Fun Fact: Halley’s Comet appeared in the night sky, as it also did back in 1682, 1758, 1835, and 1910. Halley’s Comet orbits the sun every 75-76 years, and will not be seen again until 2062.
Eurovision Winner: Belgium with the song "J'aime La Vie" by Sandra Kim
Top Grossing Movie: Top Gun
Bordeaux: 1986 was a great vintage for the wines produced in the northern part of Bordeaux (St Julien, Pauillac) where many of those wineries produced deep, concentrated wines that will mature over the next decade or two. What marks the 1986 vintage is tannin. The tannins originate from the skins of those well ripened grapes which were left on the vines for several weeks before harvest - in tastings the 1986 usually stands out because of this particular quality. The wines only reached their peak recently but will remain there for many years to come. Drinking well now, these wines would make a great 37 year old wine gift for a birthday or celebration and would grace the table of any anniversary event.
Italian: 1986 was a very good year for Italian wines. The wines produced that year are generally quite consistent and there are some great Barolos from Piedmont. The wines have reached full maturity but will last for a few more years.
Portugal: A good year that produced forward, fruit packed Single Quinta Vintage port wines that are at their best now and will remain so for many years, however there was no declaration of vintage in 1986. Tawny or Single Harvest Ports will offer a great alternative to Vintage Port.
Spain: The 1986 was a good vintage for Rioja and Ribera Del Duero, with the former producing some good but rather lean wines and the latter standing out for its power, structure and complexity.
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23 products found.
Ryst Dupeyron Armagnac, 1986
Ryst Dupeyron Reserve Joseph Millesime vintage Armagnac
50cl bottle
Includes original orange colour cardboard gift box
The 1986 Dupeyron Armagnac is the expression of a single year and has a unique character associated with the year and the cask in which it has been stored. These vintages are bottled at the alcohol level in which they naturally come out of the cask. There is a wonderful contrast between the sweet and sour flavours of wood, amplified by the strong alcoholic degree. Rich palate feeling the alcohol and the concentration of dry plums, spicy with persistent flavour of rancio and of spices, but round, soft and long in the finish. The tannins are very present, but full-bodied and round.
The Maison Ryst-Dupeyron was founded by Joseph Dupeyron in 1905. …
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Price: $116.46 USD
Stock: 6 in Stock
Bairrada, 1986
Quinta Poço do Lobo - Cabernet
Caves S. Joao, established in 1920, became a dominant force in Portuguese wine making in the early 20th century with their houses Porta dos Cavaleiros in Dao and Frei Joao in Bairrada. Given the shifting trends in consumer preferences, Bairrada and Dao fell to obscurity in the 1990s when critical influence drove the demand for bigger, extracted, warmer climate wines. As in all things, however, what comes around goes around! Sure enough, 20 years later savvy consumers and food-conscious sommeliers are looking for finesse and freshness and heading back to Bairrada and Dao. Wines that when young had a vegetal character, …
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Price: $90.29 USD
Stock: 116 in Stock
Bramaterra, 1986
Luigi Perazzi
Produced mainly with Nebbiolo grapes cultivated on the slopes of Monte Rosa, west of Gattinara, of medium aging, 2 years minimum, it comes from a knowledgeable use of aging wood. Of ruby color, complex scents of mature fruit and spices, fresh and austere body. It's suited for a medium/long aging.
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Price: $103.38 USD
Stock: 3 in Stock
Cannonau Di Sardegna, 1986
Dorgali, Sardinia
The Cannonau (also known as Cannonao, Cannonadu or Canunau) is the most popular wine from the island of Sardinia. It's mostly produced in the centre of Sardinia, even if we can find production of this famous wine in all the island. The grapes used for this Sardinian wine is the Cannonau. (At least 90 % of this grapes has to be used to be certified as original Cannonau). Cannonau is a very "strong wine" so it should be used with elaborate red meat and some types of cheese.
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Price: $90.29 USD
Stock: 3 in Stock
Chateau d'Yquem, 1986
Sauternes 1er Grand Cru Classe
Sweet White Wine
Château d'Yquem is considered by many to be Bordeaux’s single greatest wine and it is the only wine in France to hold the Premier Cru Superieur (Great First Growth) designation. The uncompromising pursuit of quality is what sets this sweet white wine apart – a standard meticulously maintained throughout the estate’s history.
Chateau d`Yquem is often described as the greatest sweet wine in the world. After centuries of family ownership, Yquem was finally sold in acrimonious circumstances to Louis Vuitton-Moët-Hennessy in 1999. However, its former owner and director Alexandre de Lur-Saluce remains in charge. …
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Price: $647.75 USD
Stock: 2 in Stock
Chateau Fourcas Holsten, 1986
Listrac (Médoc) Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel
Located in the Listrac-Médoc in the Haut-Médoc, Fourcas Hosten is an historic estate framed by the quiet charm of Listrac-Médoc`s Romanesque church and 3ha park filled with ancient trees.
The 1986 vintage offers a rare chance to travel back in time and savour the Château`s history.
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Price: $116.46 USD
Stock: 6 in Stock
Chateau Giscours, 1986
Margaux, 3rd Growth Classification
Dark core light bricking at edges. The 1986 Giscours still has a complex bouquet with clearly black currants. In the taste black currant juice, a bit leather, bitter, sweet and vanilla with some earthiness. Soft and good, but a bit drying tannin. Nice aftertaste, slightly bitter. Medium + Finish.
Château Giscours is a winery in the Margaux appellation of the Bordeaux region of France. The wine produced here was classified as one of fourteen Troisièmes Crus (Third Growths) in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. From an estate of nearly 400 hectares, the Giscours planted vineyard area extends 80 hectares spread out over several plots. …
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Price: $155.72 USD
Stock: 9 in Stock
Chateau Lanessan, 1986
Medoc, Bordeaux
the 1986 chateau Lannessan as a Dark ruby red colour, clear and very weighty. A strong, thick fruit nose. Alcoholic 'Ribena'! A hefty blackcurrant aroma, a an equally potent alcoholic bouquet! Dry mouthfeel. A huge, complex taste, dry tannin, a big blackcurrant fruitiness, which is followed by a strong peppery spice. The finish is long.
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Price: $77.21 USD
Stock: 2 in Stock
Chateau Lynch-Bages, 1986
Pauillac 5me Cru Classe, Bordeaux *** 94 Points - Parker ***
The history of Lynch-Bages, situated in the lands of “Batges” at the entrance to Pauillac, is emblematic of the Médoc region.
The Lynch-Bages vineyard (1855 Grand Cru Classé), overlooks the Gironde estuary and stretches over a beautiful gravelly hilltop. Formerly owned by the illustrious Lynch family, of Irish descent, the estate was acquired by the Cazes family in 1939.
Located on the left bank of the Gironde river, the Pauillac appellation enjoys exceptional climatic and geological conditions.
Combined with the natural barrier of the Landes forest, the Atlantic Ocean and the Gironde estuary play a fundamental role in regulating temperatures and contribute to creating a very specific micro-climate. …
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Price: $325.84 USD
Stock: 7 in Stock
Chateau Musar, 1986
Bekaar Valley, Gaston Hochar
This rare 1985 Musar is a blend of Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Carignan from this well-known and highly regarded Lebanese winery.
Chateau Musar is often referred to as the Lafite of the Lebanon. Wine maker Gaston Hochar defied the odds producing a string of great wines during the Lebanon War. Musar has assumed legendary status. Complex, long-lived and endlessly varied, in some vintages it seems more like a Burgundy, in others a Bordeaux, in still others a Hermitage. But it is always brilliantly, uniquely, Lebanese. Ages magnificently but good vintages are usually best at 10-20 years old. …
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Price: $386.03 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chateau Palmer, 1986
Margaux 3me Cru Classe *** 93 Points Wine Journal ***
*** 93 Points Wine Journal ***
Reviews "This is one of the great Palmers of the 1980s, though it is several years since I last encountered it. Here, there is one word that springs to mind-class. Wonderful definition, a little reserved at first, but wonderfully defined with cedar, sandalwood and cigar box. The palate has firm tannins as you would expect from an -86, but it is married with Margaux femininity, leading to a lovely, supple finish with graphite and blackberry lingering on the back palate. Superb. Drink now-2018. Tasted November 2009." Neil Martin, Wine Journal
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Price: $372.95 USD
Stock: 3 in Stock
Chianti, 1986
Ruffino
Chianti, situated in Tuscany in central Italy, is home to probably the best-known and most iconic of all Italian wines. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are primarily made with Sangiovese grape whereas the Vernaccia grape is the basis of the white Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
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Price: $90.29 USD
Stock: 2 in Stock
Chianti, 1986
Tenuta di Lilliano
Chianti, situated in Tuscany in central Italy, is home to probably the best-known and most iconic of all Italian wines. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are primarily made with Sangiovese grape whereas the Vernaccia grape is the basis of the white Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
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Price: $116.46 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock
Dao, 1986
Porta dos Cavaleiros
Caves S. Joao, established in 1920, became a dominant force in Portuguese wine making in the early 20th century with their houses Porta dos Cavaleiros in Dao and Frei Joao in Bairrada. Given the shifting trends in consumer preferences, Bairrada and Dao fell to obscurity in the 1990s when critical influence drove the demand for bigger, extracted, warmer climate wines. As in all things, however, what comes around goes around! Sure enough, 20 years later savvy consumers and food-conscious sommeliers are looking for finesse and freshness and heading back to Bairrada and Dao. Wines that when young had a vegetal character, …
more >>>
Price: $90.29 USD
Stock: 150 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1986
Guimaraens Vintage Port
In undeclared vintages Fonseca bottle Guimaraens, provided the quality of the fruit is sufficient. This has a good depth of colour, with a moderate red-tawny hue. The nose has exotic notes of musky scent and spiced woods, together with some chocolate edged fruit. The palate has an impressive texture and sweetness immediately apparent on entry. Good fruit and a nice backbone of soft tannins. Elegant, with a touch of complexity, with balance, very much in the house style.
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Price: $168.81 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock
Ghemme, 1986
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo
The wines Sizzano must be made from grapes coming from the following varieties: Nebbiolo (Span): 50-70%; Vespolina and Uva Rara (Bonarda Novarese) alone or in combination 30-50%. Colour: ruby red with garnet; Bouquet: vinous, typical, with hints of violet, fine and pleasant; Flavour: dry, full-bodied and harmonious with a slightly bitter aftertaste; Aging: "Sizzano": at least 22 months of which at least 18 in wood; "Sizzano Reserve": at least 34 months of which at least 24 in wood.
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Price: $103.38 USD
Stock: 2 in Stock
Nebbiolo D'Alba, 1986
Lodali
The Nebbiolo has a lovely earthy bouquet. The nose has cherries, dark cherries, tar and slight dried rose notes. Complex and layered. Nice acidity. Medium tannins still present. Cherries on the palate too. Nice finish. Great food wine. Nebbiolo is a fickle grape famed as much for its pale appearance as for its tannic character and produces some of the most perfumed and richly flavored wines. Though generally only medium-bodied, the wines possess rose and anise scented aromatics and deep flavors of cherry, orange peel and subtle green herb tones.
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Price: $103.38 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock
Recioto, 1986
Tommasi, Sweet Red Wine
"Recioto," as in "Recioto della Valpolicella," refers to a dessert wine made from grapes that were dried on mats after picking. This process turns the grapes closer to raisins, concentrating the flavors. The wines are lovely and taste how you'd expect raisins-turned-wine to taste, rich and sweet.
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Price: $168.81 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock
Recioto, 1986
Di Soave, Dei Capitelli
Sweet White Wine
Half Bottle Format 37.5cl
Recioto di Soave is a sweet white wine made from dried grapes grown in the Soave viticultural zone of Veneto, northeastern Italy. The DOCG title, which includes the Classico version, was granted in 1998.
Recioto di Soave is made from grapes that have been dried out for several weeks or even months after harvest. Traditionally this process took place on straw mats (it is considered a straw wine) in the warmest part of the house or winery.
This should be intense amber in colour. In terms of taste you should expect sweet spices, roasted barley, nicely ripe white fruit with the sweetness of lime and honeysuckle. …
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Price: $78.45 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock
Rioja, 1986
Remelluri Reserva, Rioja
In this wine from old vines on the Remelluri estate owned by Telmo Rodriguez & his sister Amaia, Tempranillo grape is blended with a little Graciano and Garnacha (Grenache); The wine from this vintage is still displaying lots of fruit. In addition the cooler climate has helped combine the earthy red fruit with spice and savouriness - and with amazing elegance. It's a complex Rioja Reserva and a refreshing acidity cuts through the richness making it very drinkable indeed
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Price: $91.54 USD
Stock: 7 in Stock
Taittinger, 1986
Vintage Champagne Hans Harthung in presentation box with 4 glasses
Amongst Champagne's luxury cuveés and super-premium labels, Taittinger's wines live on one extreme end of the style spectrum.
While many top Champagnes can be quite difficult to approach in their youth, with laser-like focus and delineation, even austerity, Taittinger instead tends to be immediately open and welcoming. These are beautiful, delicious Champagnes, with bubbles lazily winding their way up to the surface, inviting you to take another sip.
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Price: $778.61 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock
Taittinger, 1986
Vintage Champagne Hans Harthung
Amongst Champagne's luxury cuveés and super-premium labels, Taittinger's wines live on one extreme end of the style spectrum.
While many top Champagnes can be quite difficult to approach in their youth, with laser-like focus and delineation, even austerity, Taittinger instead tends to be immediately open and welcoming. These are beautiful, delicious Champagnes, with bubbles lazily winding their way up to the surface, inviting you to take another sip.
more >>>
Price: $477.63 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock
Torcolato, 1986
Maculan Dolce
Sweet White Wine
This 1986 sweet wine from Italy is brilliant amber yellow. Intense bouquet of honey, flowers, vanilla, grapes and noble wood. Sweet and full, fine body and excellent balance between acidity, alcohol and sugars; leaves a long impression and a clear palate.
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Price: $91.54 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock