drink soon
A variable year but the finest wines have good fruit and acidity
Weather Conditions
A cold winter segued into a cool, wet spring. The weather did not really improve until early June, which saw a late flowering take place under near-ideal conditions. There was little change in the pattern until the outbreak of thunderstorms towards the end of August. The rainy weather continued on into September, resulting in a high incidence of grey rot. Late in the month, temperatures picked up, and much of the harvest took place under exemplary conditions.
Best Appellations
A vintage much lauded at the outset – mistakenly, for it lacked the essential ingredient of grip. The 1986s matured fast, quickly becoming flabby, and are now largely past their best. Originally Meursault and Chassagne were better than Puligny and the Corton-Charlemagnes unexceptional. Now only the most concentrated wines survive.
Best Producers
Carillon, Jadot (Chevalier-Montrachet, Les Demoiselles), Leroy, Ramonet.
