Mouton-Rothschild Pauillac 1986

100 points Robert Parker: "An enormously concentrated, massive Mouton-Rothschild, comparable in quality, but not style, to the 1982, 1959, and 1945, this impeccably made wine is still in its infancy. Interestingly, when I was in Bordeaux several years ago, I had this wine served to me blind from a magnum that had been opened and decanted 48 hours previously. Even then, it still tasted like a barrel sample! I suspect the 1986 Mouton-Rothschild requires a minimum of 15-20 more years of cellaring; it has the potential to last for 50-100 years! Given the outrageously high prices being fetched by so many of the great 1982s and 1990s (and lest I forget, the 1995 Bordeaux futures), it appears this wine might still be one of the "relative bargains" in the fine wine marketplace. I wonder how many readers will be in shape to drink it when it does finally reach full maturity? The tasting notes for this section are from two single blind tastings, one conducted in May, 1996, in California, and the other in June, 1996, in Baltimore."

100 points James Suckling: "This shows amazing aromas of mushrooms, mint, minerals and dark berries. It boasts a fully body of ultra richness, extraordinary length and beauty and an almost chiseled precision to the quality with fabulous length. It lasts for minutes on the palate. Decant four hours before serving. (3/17/15)"

100 points Decanter: "80% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 10% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Wonderful, concentrated and still astonishingly young, this has brushes of violet aromatics rising above the tight cassis fruits and rich black truffle edging, and the classic menthol edging of a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated Pauillac. We drank this over lunch and it was breathtaking, but were told that 24 hours later it had blossomed even further, so make sure you give this a serious amount of time in carafe to open up--something that gives you just a small clue to how structured, layered and complex is the wine we are dealing with here. Drink: 2017-2040. Alcohol 13%. (Nov 2017)"

100 points Jeb Dunnuck: "A wine that's been closed every time I've been lucky enough to taste it previously, the 1986 Château Mouton Rothschild appears to have finally come around, and it’s pure Bordeaux gold today. Still deeply hued and vibrant, with no bricking, it has a powerful, full-bodied style carrying lots of pure black currants, scorched earth, graphite, tobacco leaf, and roasted coffee-like aromatics. Full-bodied and still incredibly concentrated on the palate, it has a massive mid-palate, polished yet still present tannins, and an incredible finish. A legendary bottle of wine, it lived up to every expectation on this occasion. It probably has another 50 years of life, but it's in a great spot today. Drink: 2023-2073. (5/22/23)"

99 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Philippe Dhalluin served the 1986 Mouton Rothschild to wrap up our vertical. The 1986 remains one of my favorite Moutons. A dark, powerful wine, the 1986 is endowed with a vertical sense of structure that is a marvel to behold. Dark stone fruit, smoke, graphite, mocha, soy and licorice are fused together in a marvelously intense, deep Mouton that promises to drink well for another few decades. Tonight, the 1986 is absolutely stunning. The blend is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Harvest started on October 2nd and wrapped up on the 16th. Drink: 2016-2036. (May 2016)"

99 points Wine Spectator: "Ageless, yet balanced. Black color. Mint, mineral, berry and cherry. Full-bodied, chewy and tight. Long, long finish. A great, great wine.--Bordeaux retrospective. (6/30/01)"

5 stars (potential) Michael Broadbent's Pocket Vintage Wine Companion: "Reputed to be outstandingly the best '86. Time will tell. Certainly a spectacular wine. Two very recent notes: still immature; crisp fruit, taut, bricky; full-bodied, slightly raw but spicy, rich, chewy. Good length, hard tannins. Not ready. Last tasted Nov 2005. 2010-?."

20/20 points Clive Coates (The Wines of Bordeaux): "Very full colour. Still purple. Cedary and oaky on the nose. The fruit is very ripe and lush. This is excellent. Splendid grip and intensity. Full, ripe, expansive and beautifully balanced. Very lovely follow-through. Real class. Very special Drink: Now-2025. (2004)"