The 1986 Pape Clement Bordeaux Blend is a notable red wine hailing from the Pessac Leognan sub-region in Bordeaux, France. Produced by Pape Clement, this vintage has garnered attention and acclaim from wine critics, reflecting its complexity and aging potential.
Wine Spectator awarded this wine a score of 92, describing it as "big, broad, lush, supple, and tannic." The publication highlighted its layers of cedar, plum, and currant flavors, which are "sharply focused, elegant, and subtle." Wine Spectator further noted that while it is "delicious to drink now," the wine's soft tannins suggest it is a "solid candidate for a decade's cellaring," recommending it be consumed between 1995 and 2003.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, through the lens of reviewer Neal Martin, gave the wine a score of 90. Martin praised its "quite gorgeous bouquet" filled with black plum and cranberry aromas, accompanied by wilted violets and rose petals. He described the palate as "medium-bodied with a slightly medicinal opening," featuring tar and hickory notes. While Martin felt the palate did not fully match the complexity of the aromatics, he still believed the wine had "good depth" and a "generous, medicinal finish." He concluded that the wine has the "guts and substance to give another 10-20 years of pleasure," indicating significant aging potential.
John Gilman from View From The Cellar also rated the 1986 Pape Clement at 92 points, with a potential for an even higher score. He noted its "first rate nose" comprising sweet cassis, dark berries, black truffles, Cuban cigars, and gravelly soil tones. On the palate, Gilman found it "deep, full-bodied," with a "great core of sweet fruit" and "firm tannins." He advised patience, suggesting that the wine's "tough structure" means it still needs time to reach its peak drinkability.
Overall, the 1986 Pape Clement is a rich, complex wine that has been well-received by critics. Its structure and depth suggest continued aging will yield even more rewarding results.