Community Tasting Notes 81

• BellevuePhil Likes this wine: 94 points

  October 15, 2023 - In the opulent realm of upper gentile society, there exists a realm where the senses are treated to exquisite delights. In a world where every sip, every note, and every brushstroke matters, the 1986 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron emerges as a true embodiment of timeless elegance and sophistication. This one was different and I still don’t know why, but when she opened over a popping fire and a day old Pagliacci's pizza, it was sublime bliss.
  
  For a hopeless romantic, show-off, ex-rock musician, and a lover of the finer things in life, this vintage transcends the boundaries of mere wine; it is a journey back to 1986, a year when life was simple, yet filled with the promise of extraordinary experiences.
  
  Uncorking this illustrious bottle, I was immediately transported back to a time when the world was alive with possibilities. Before woke, before rules, before before before. As the deep, crimson liquid flowed into my Zalto it danced against the shadows of my fire throwing passionate hues of a Bordeaux sunset across the walls of my snowy cabin, creating a subtle, inviting glow. The aroma that wafted towards me was nothing short of a symphony - notes of black currants, leather, and cedar mingled in the air, enticing my senses with a promise of the unspoken passions only someone who loved wine would know.
  
  For me, each bottle or Bordeaux is a hidden memorie, like a message in a bottle that was lost that you find and if you can read it, oftentimes you can find the mysteries of the Universe.
  
  Memories flooded my mind, carrying me back to a summer in Bordeaux, France. It was 1986, and I was a young 15 and impressionable soul; only seeking meaning in art and life. Fate had led me to the doorstep of a 30-something artist whose wisdom surpassed her years. While I may not have learned much about art in the conventional sense, the lessons I imbibed from her transcended the boundaries of canvas and paint.
  
  The taste of the 1986 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron brought forth these memories with an almost poetic finesse. The initial sip was a revelation, a cascade of flavors that danced on my palate. Blackberries and plums, entwined with hints of tobacco and spice, created a harmonious melody that resonated with the echoes of that long-lost summer. Each sip was a step back in time, a chance to relive the innocence of youth and the thrill of discovery.
  
  Each sip took me back to the morning we woke in the afternoon, stuck together with long oil pigment where we painted each other the night before and as I savored the bottle, I couldn't help but recall the moments of enlightenment that the artist had bestowed upon me. She had taught me that art was not confined to galleries and museums; it was a living, breathing entity that thrived in the everyday, in the interplay of light and shadow, in the subtle nuances of human emotions. Similarly, the 1986 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron was not just a beverage; it was a testament to the artistry of winemaking, a masterpiece crafted with care and passion.
  
  In the midst of this sensory journey, I found myself reflecting on the profound impact that that summer had on my perspective towards life and love. The artist, with her wisdom and grace, had taught me things that no woman my age could comprehend. She had unraveled the mysteries of the heart, painting vivid strokes of passion and desire on the canvas of my soul. The 1986 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron, with its velvety texture and lingering finish, seemed to echo those sentiments, reminding me of the intensity of youthful love and the bittersweet ache of longing.
  
  As this evening ends in my cabin hundreds of miles away from civilization, I found myself enveloped in a sense of contentment. The wine had taken me on a journey through time and space, allowing me to relive the simplicity of 1986 and the profound lessons of that summer in Bordeaux.
  
  In these quiet moments and as I gaze at my empty glass, only now do I realize that the 1986 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron had become more than just a wine. It was a vessel of memories, a bridge between the past and the present, a reminder of the transformative power of art and love.
  
  Cheers.
  
  NOTE TO SELF: one hour maybe 1.5 decant finesse glass by glass

  1 person found this helpful Comments (2)

• TWSA Likes this wine: 90 points

  April 17, 2023 - Nose: Dried leaves, herbs, hints of mint, black fruits, pepper
  Notes: There's this certain wetness and leafy feeling to this wine. Pre-AXA Pichon Barons are not really known for its quality but this wine actually demonstrates an example of a well structured old claret. A medium to full body accompanied with an almost St. Julien like kind of aroma, this wine is quite enjoyable especially given the good condition of this particular bottle. Although Pichon Barons (even under the reign of AXA) rarely gives surprises and is painfully consistent but I would still say that this is a nice bottle to have. There's no need to wait anymore for this bottle and should be consumed if one has access to more bottles.
  Drink: now+
  Rating: 90

  Comment

• Kmmk Likes this wine: 90 points

  August 9, 2022 - I was cleaning the top of the capsule because it had some dirt on it and unintentionally pressed on the top of the cork when it fell in. I immediately transferred it to a bottle with a screw cap and here I am at 4:00 in the afternoon on a weekday tasting wine and taking notes.
  
  Colour is opaque and deep garnet with a nearly clear outer edge. Excellent nose and typical of what an aged Bordeaux should smell like: Lots of earth, leather, some tobacco, and hints of pine. Dark fruit aromas were there but very nuanced. Nothing sweet, tart or ripe. Palate was the same. Subdued impressions of dark cherries, plum, and figs with medium body. A bit of astringency on the tongue at first but quickly settled after half an hour in the glass. Very nice tertiary notes with nuttiness and stewed fruit coming through, similar to aged Shaoxing wine. Not overly complex but gives you enough to think about. The finish is medium-long and leaves a lasting impression.
  
  I rated this as neutral at first but after going back for a second glass a few hours later, I decided that I do indeed like this wine and rated it accordingly.

  1 person found this helpful Comments (1)

• Grinner wrote: 97 points

  February 4, 2022 - "Old Bordeaux" = '86! (Old Home of Woodward): Served blind with other "old BDX", this was my WOTN! This bottle had a beautiful open nose with both savory and fruit components vying for attention. Lots of wet stone, graphite, cassis, black plum, hints of cigar and eucalyptus. Guessed '89 Graves.

  Comment

• jkwoodward Likes this wine: 97 points

  February 4, 2022 - Excellent on this night, at least this bottle. Up against some other classics from the vintage and held its own. Perfect blend of smooth integrated palate and classic notes of graphite and cigar box for me. Really nice.

  Comment

Pro Reviews 1

Wine Definition

• Vintage 1986
• Type Red
• Producer Château Pichon-Longueville Baron
• Varietal Red Bordeaux Blend
• Designation n/a
• Vineyard n/a
• Country France
• Region Bordeaux
• SubRegion Médoc
• Appellation Pauillac
• UPC Codes 3760020090128, 616773325150, 649185000377

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 0 (0%)
• In Cellars 759 (62%)
• Consumed 469 (38%)

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