1986 CHÂTEAU CHEVAL BLANC 1986

 Strong ruby garnet, ocher reflections, delicate orange edges. Needs some air, delicate velour, ripe cherries, candied orange zest, a hint of cedar wood and chocolate. Elegant and juicy on the palate, silky tannins, fine extract sweetness, mineral finish, black berries, a hint of pickled black olives in the aftertaste, a versatile food companion.

 A classic Cheval Blanc that is full open, mature and seductive now. Its cashmere-textured tannins is complemented by cedar, tobacco and earthy flavors with sweet dried berries in the background. Seamless and delicious to enjoy on its own as well as with a variety of meats.

 Medium ruby, lightened edge. The nose is delicately fragrant, floral notes alternate with lots of cedar wood, followed by black tea, deep and with very good complexity. On the palate there is a tight attack, elegant and yet dense, there are fine, well-integrated but still distinctive tannins, very fine, juicy fruit, the acidity is right, overall extremely elegant and with a lot of race. The finish has a very good length and ends with crisp, red fruits. Still has very good reserves.

A big wine with depth and balance. Vibrant aromas of plum and chocolate hint at its richness, but the flavors are still hiding under full, firm tannins. It has great potential.

The nose is enchating. Open and aromatic. There are forest mushrooms, truffle, wax and tabacco, noble essences. The mouth is very ripe and balanced. Creamy, rich and very very long.

At one time I thought the 1986 was better than the 1985, but the open-knit charm and currant exotic personality fo the 1985 makes a more persuasive case for it than for the more reserved, tannic, and backward 1986. The 1986 still has a youthful dark ruby saturated color with no amber at the edge. The wine possesses a developing bouquet that offers up weedy tobacco, juxtaposed with sweet black berry, raspberry, and cherry fruit. The new oak that was so obvious in the wine's youth has moved to the background, offering more of a cedary character than raw wood. Medium to full-bodied, and moderately tannic, this is a delineated Cheval Blanc with more of a Medoc personality than typical St.-Emilion opulence. The wine is rich, intense, and well-made, but still requiring a few more years of bottle age.

 One of the finest 1986s I can remember. Pale/mid ruby. Very rich, sweet and subtle on the nose. So much more luscious than most 1986s. Round and supple. All that tannin has magically melted. Good bordeaux needs a very long time, children.

 There is a strict, firm character here, that intrudes in the medium bodied, red cherry and plum notes. Better on the nose, with earthy, tobacco leaf, herb and red fruits, than on the austere palate. This is a nice wine.