1986 Chateau Margaux

Name: 1986 Chateau Margaux
Brand: Chateau Margaux
SKU: c2764954bb56082303547f840d2ea073
Price: 458.93 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 93 (8 reviews)

Margaux, France

- Avg Price (ex-tax)
- $ 885 / 750ml

4.5 from 42 User Ratings
93 / 100 8 Critic Reviews
Style Red - Savory and Classic
Grape Variety Bordeaux Blend Red
Food Pairing Beef and Venison

- Critic tasting note: (1986 vintage) "Better on the nose than on the palate with its austere, rustic edge to its tannins, there is a wealth of ripe fruit, but the finish is a bit rough around the edges. This is best for tasters longing for days gone by. Give it air, and, or time. Drink from 2022-2040." - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
Learn more Hide

Highlights

Winery

Chateau Margaux

9 products ranged between $151 - $741 (Avg. price ex tax)

Region or Appellation

Margaux

Medoc / Bordeaux / France

Grape Variety / Blend

Bordeaux Blend Red

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot & Cabernet Franc

Style

Red Wine

Red - Savory and Classic

Food Pairing

Beef and Venison

The general rule with all red meat is the leaner the meat, the...

Details

About the Product

Classification: 1er Grand Cru Classé
Drinking Window: 2005-2036

Analytical Data

Alcohol ABV: 12.5%
Sweetness: Dry

Production Attributes

Maturation: Oaked
Oak Type: French
Winemaker: Philippe Barré & Emile Peynaud
Ownership: Laura Mentzelopoulos
Closure Type: Cork
Vintage Notes: 1986 is an astonishing vintage; its very slow development in a way reminds us of the previous generation's wines. Its tannic structure is very tight-knit, very dense and softens only very slightly from year to year. The bouquet is starting to open up; however, we feel that it is still only showing a limited part of its enormous potential. It is full and rich on the palate, still a little bit firm. Should we drink it?...A great vintage, but which seems to belong to another, older era. (October 2018)

Read more
Harvest Notes: Picking began 1st October.
Producer Tasting Notes: 1986 is an astonishing vintage; its very slow development in a way reminds us of the previous generation's wines. Its tannic structure is very tight-knit, very dense and softens only very slightly from year to year. The bouquet is starting to open up; however, we feel that it is still only showing a limited part of its enormous potential. It is full and rich on the palate, still a little bit firm. Should we drink it?. A great vintage, but which seems to belong to another, older era. (October 2018)

Read more

Awards

(1)

Wine Spectator Top 100 #6

1986 Vintage

Awarded: 1989

Wine Spectator Top 100

Suggested Dishes to Pair With This Wine

Sirloin steak Main Course: Western

Beef fore rib Main Course: Western

Fillet steak Main Course: With beef dripping merlot gravy; French

Manchego Cheese Course: Spanish

Details

About the Product

Classification: 1er Grand Cru Classé
Drinking Window: 2005-2036

Analytical Data

Alcohol ABV: 12.5%
Sweetness: Dry

Production Attributes

Maturation: Oaked
Oak Type: French
Winemaker: Philippe Barré & Emile Peynaud
Ownership: Laura Mentzelopoulos
Closure Type: Cork
Vintage Notes: 1986 is an astonishing vintage; its very slow development in a way reminds us of the previous generation's wines. Its tannic structure is very tight-knit, very dense and softens only very slightly from year to year. The bouquet is starting to open up; however, we feel that it is still only showing a limited part of its enormous potential. It is full and rich on the palate, still a little bit firm. Should we drink it?...A great vintage, but which seems to belong to another, older era. (October 2018)

Read more
Harvest Notes: Picking began 1st October.
Producer Tasting Notes: 1986 is an astonishing vintage; its very slow development in a way reminds us of the previous generation's wines. Its tannic structure is very tight-knit, very dense and softens only very slightly from year to year. The bouquet is starting to open up; however, we feel that it is still only showing a limited part of its enormous potential. It is full and rich on the palate, still a little bit firm. Should we drink it?. A great vintage, but which seems to belong to another, older era. (October 2018)

Read more

Awards

(1)

Wine Spectator Top 100 #6

1986 Vintage

Awarded: 1989

Wine Spectator Top 100

Critics Scores & Reviews

(8)

1986 vintage

93 / 100

8 scores

95 - 100

90 - 94

85 - 89

80 - 84

75 - 79

0 - 74

When to drink: 2005 to 2036

94 / 100 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

1986 Vintage Tasted: Nov 2022

Better on the nose than on the palate with its austere, rustic edge to its tannins, there is a wealth of ripe fruit, but the finish is a bit rough around the edges. This is best for tasters longing for days gone by. Give it air, and, or time. Drink from 2022-2040.

About Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

97 / 100 Adrian van Velsen - vvWine.ch

1986 Vintage Tasted: Jun 2018

Reifes Bordeauxrot, dezent aufgehellter Rand. In der Nase ungemein tief und duftig, floral, Veilchen, Rosen, Süssholz, eine Droge. Im Auftakt weich, fast etwas mollig wirkend, dann zieht der Wein zu, zeigt eine markante Struktur, ausgezeichnete Tannine, fein gewoben, die Säure ist perfekt dosiert, würzig, mit konzentrierter Frucht, roten und dunklen Beeren, enorm viel Würze und trotz der hohen Konzentration ohne jegliche Schwere, das Schwebt am Gaumen, zieht aromatisch durch, breitet sich noch mehr aus. Im Abgang von ausgezeichneter Länge, will kaum enden. Das ist Margaux auf höchstem Niveau, nahe an der Perfektion. Jetzt bis 2030, 19.5 vvPunkte (97/100)

About Adrian van Velsen - vvWine.ch

? / 100 James Suckling

1986 Vintage Tasted: Sep 2017

This was really tannic when it was young and is still tannic and hard. Full yet lacks some fruit. Mushroom. have tasted many times but suggest drinking.

About James Suckling

94 / 100 Falstaff

1986 Vintage Tasted: Feb 2011

Dunkles Karmingranat, zarter Ockerrand, Wasserrand. In der Nase einladende Süße, dunkle Beeren und feine Schokolade, feine Minze, saftiges Cassis, facettenreiches Bukett. Komplex, sehr gut eingebundenes, aber noch präsentes Tannin, das im Abgang deutlich zum Tragen kommt, trocknet im Finish leicht aus, es fehlt ein klein wenig an der finalen Frucht, ein guter Essensbegleiter, monolithischer Stil.

About Falstaff

PRO Jancis Robinson

1986 Vintage Tasted: Jan 2008

See score for this with a PRO subscription.

About Jancis Robinson

94 / 100 Jean-Marc Quarin

1986 Vintage Tasted: Jun 2017

When to drink: 2005 to 2036

About Jean-Marc Quarin

94 / 100 CellarTracker

1986 Vintage

About CellarTracker

For completeness we may include critic scores in our aggregation that we do not display.

User Ratings

(42)

4.5

42 ratings

1986 Chateau Margaux, Margaux, France

Excellent

1986 Vintage Saved: 11-Nov-2024

Excellent but no rush to drink. Open a couple of hours beforehand. Lovely fruit subtle drops down for a smooth lasting finish.

Good

1986 Vintage Saved: 14-Sep-2022

Un peu court et acide

Excellent

1986 Vintage Saved: 30-Jan-2019

Bu en 3/8 en 2004 et 2017, exceptionnel (98+) !

Very Good

1986 Vintage Saved: 17-Aug-2018

Kappo. Decanted in bottle for hour half. Blackfruits graphite. Tight and dry finish. Opened up further two hours in. Elegant and balanced but not whole lot of fruit.

Compare vintages

Vintage Critics Score Avg. Price (ex-tax)

All 97 / 100 $ 760 2024 95 / 100 $ 380 2023 97 / 100 $ 509 2022 97 / 100 $ 814 2021 95 / 100 $ 601 2020 97 / 100 $ 730 2019 97 / 100 $ 858 2018 97 / 100 $ 844 2017 96 / 100 $ 605

2016 98 / 100 $ 842 2015 98 / 100 $ 1,732 2014 95 / 100 $ 618 2013 92 / 100 $ 564 2012 94 / 100 $ 597 2011 94 / 100 $ 606 2010 97 / 100 $ 1,055 2009 97 / 100 $ 1,062 2008 94 / 100 $ 602 2007 93 / 100 $ 541 2006 95 / 100 $ 648 2005 97 / 100 $ 1,119 2004 94 / 100 $ 604 2003 96 / 100 $ 736 2002 93 / 100 $ 545 2001 94 / 100 $ 650 2000 98 / 100 $ 1,322 1999 93 / 100 $ 600 1998 94 / 100 $ 636 1997 91 / 100 $ 530 1996 97 / 100 $ 1,032 1995 94 / 100 $ 750 1994 91 / 100 $ 524 1993 91 / 100 $ 485 1992 87 / 100 $ 453 1991 90 / 100 $ 512 1990 97 / 100 $ 1,410 1989 94 / 100 $ 769 1988 92 / 100 $ 686 1987 88 / 100 $ 504 1986 93 / 100 $ 885 1985 95 / 100 $ 749 1984 87 / 100 $ 530 1983 96 / 100 $ 820 1982 96 / 100 $ 1,458 1981 90 / 100 $ 501 1980 91 / 100 $ 413 1979 92 / 100 $ 856 1978 92 / 100 $ 570 1977 86 / 100 $ 376 1976 87 / 100 $ 462 1975 80 / 100 $ 632 1974 86 / 100 $ 828 1973 88 / 100 $ 493 1972 88 / 100 $ 446 1971 89 / 100 $ 418 1970 87 / 100 $ 485 1969 87 / 100 $ 541 1968 – $ 569 1967 89 / 100 $ 576 1966 92 / 100 $ 894 1965 – – 1964 92 / 100 $ 741 1963 – $ 1,473 1962 85 / 100 $ 1,004 1961 91 / 100 $ 1,842 1960 91 / 100 $ 970 1959 92 / 100 $ 1,912 1958 81 / 100 $ 1,094 1957 90 / 100 $ 732 1956 – $ 926 1955 92 / 100 $ 1,497 1954 – $ 2,126 1953 92 / 100 $ 2,038 1952 90 / 100 $ 1,647 1951 – $ 1,135 1950 92 / 100 $ 2,232 1949 96 / 100 $ 2,051 1948 86 / 100 $ 2,351 1947 93 / 100 $ 2,316 1946 – $ 2,102 1945 92 / 100 $ 4,999 1944 – $ 1,193 1943 92 / 100 $ 1,167 1942 – – 1941 – – 1940 – $ 1,197 1939 – $ 1,736 1938 – $ 910 1937 – $ 878 1936 – $ 1,731 1935 – – 1934 92 / 100 $ 1,574 1933 – $ 1,567 1932 – – 1931 – $ 2,575 1930 – – 1929 98 / 100 $ 2,126 1928 93 / 100 $ 2,883 1927 – – 1926 – $ 3,277 1925 – – 1924 89 / 100 $ 2,431 1923 – $ 1,161 1922 88 / 100 $ 3,152 1921 92 / 100 $ 1,743 1920 – $ 1,823 1919 90 / 100 $ 422 1918 95 / 100 $ 1,942 1917 – $ 5,535 1916 – $ 2,977 1915 70 / 100 – 1914 – $ 9,008 1913 – $ 3,340 1912 – $ 1,670 1911 92 / 100 – 1910 – – 1909 85 / 100 – 1908 – – 1907 82 / 100 $ 3,542 1906 – $ 674 1905 – – 1904 – – 1903 – – 1902 – – 1901 – $ 4,532 1900 98 / 100 $ 24,843 1899 – $ 24,843 1898 – – 1896 – – 1893 70 / 100 $ 34,742 1892 – – 1891 – – 1890 – $ 1,920 1889 – – 1888 – – 1887 – $ 34,742 1884 96 / 100 $ 19,449 1877 – – 1870 100 / 100 $ 38,215 1868 – – 1865 – – 1864 – – 1848 – – 1789 – –

See moreSee less

1986 Vintage: Bordeaux Learn more

Vintage quality: Good

Current condition: Likely past it

The 1986 vintage for Bordeaux was relatively difficult but some excellent wines were still made.

The growing season began with a particularly cold winter, although biting frosts were, thankfully, kept to a minimum. Spring was slow to arrive, with conditions remaining per...

Price History

Worldwide average retail price per 750ml, ex tax USD $ from Nov 2023 to Oct 2025

Current Product

1986 Chateau Margaux Margaux, France

Benchmark

1986 Bordeaux Blend Red from Margaux

Please login or subscribe to PRO to view data from the last ten years.

Availability Over Time

Number of offers from our merchants from Nov 2023 to Oct 2025

Current Product

1986 Chateau Margaux Margaux, France

Benchmark

1986 Bordeaux Blend Red from Margaux

Please login or subscribe to PRO to view data from the last ten years.

Search Rank Over Time

Popularity relative to other wines, spirits and beers , irrespective of vintage, based on the number of searches from Nov 2023 to Oct 2025

Current Product

Chateau Margaux Margaux, France

Benchmark

Bordeaux Blend Red from Margaux

Please login or subscribe to PRO to view data from the last ten years.

Wine-Searcher's historical data and benchmark analysis provides trustworthy and valuable insights into likely market trends.
Wine-Searcher also produces detailed reports for market insights into the industry.Learn more

Also from 'Chateau Margaux' (7) Learn more

Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux

Margaux, France

$228

93 / 100

Pavillon Blanc du Chateau Margaux

Bordeaux, France

$353

94 / 100

Margaux du Chateau Margaux

Margaux, France

$456

91 / 100

Pavillon Blanc Second Vin

Bordeaux, France

$163

95 / 100

Chateau Margaux Vertical Collection

Margaux, France

$2977

Chateau Margaux 'La trilogie' Assortment Case

Margaux, France

$1235

Chateau Margaux DNA2 Vertical Collection

Margaux, France

$1727

One of our sponsors is:

Explore the Marketplace and shop from multiple stores at once

Opus One

Subscribe

French Wines

Blended Whiskeys

Pinot Noir Wines

Vintage Chart

Types of Wine

Jancis Robinson

1986 Chateau Margaux

You may also like

Prices

Profile

Reviews

Vintages

Analytics

See all 257 results

Highlights

Details

Awards

Suggested Dishes to Pair With This Wine

Details

Awards

Related News

Critics Scores & Reviews

User Ratings

Compare vintages

Price History

Availability Over Time

Search Rank Over Time

Also from 'Chateau Margaux' (7) Learn more

Change country

Deliver to

Cookie Consent