1986 Wine and Port Vintage
Vintage Summary and Recommendations: Welcome to Vintage Wine and Port's 1986 wine page. Read on for our summary of the 1986 vintage, our top recommendations and region reports. Scroll down to see all of our wines currently available. If you cannot find what you are looking for please call us on 01425 837177 or Contact Us. We would love to help you with your wine choice!
The 1986 vintage was largely good but stopped short of excellent. In France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Champagne and the Loire all performed well, while Alsace and the Rhône Valley struggled a little more. In wider Europe, both Piedmont and Tuscany had so-so years with few truly stand-out wines, but some good ones were still made. Port and Spain were largely average while Germany and Tokaj were both good. Any of these wines would make a fabulous 40 year old wine gift for an Anniversary or birthday.
Our Wine Expert currently recommends the following wines for this year:
This Year in History: Fun Fact: Halley’s Comet appeared in the night sky, as it also did back in 1682, 1758, 1835, and 1910. Halley’s Comet orbits the sun every 75-76 years, and will not be seen again until 2062.
Eurovision Winner: Belgium with the song "J'aime La Vie" by Sandra Kim
Top Grossing Movie: Top Gun
Bordeaux: 1986 was a great vintage for the wines produced in the northern part of Bordeaux (St Julien, Pauillac) where many of those wineries produced deep, concentrated wines that will mature over the next decade or two. What marks the 1986 vintage is tannin. The tannins originate from the skins of those well ripened grapes which were left on the vines for several weeks before harvest - in tastings the 1986 usually stands out because of this particular quality. The wines only reached their peak recently but will remain there for many years to come. Drinking well now, these wines would make a great 39 year old wine gift for a birthday or celebration and would grace the table of any anniversary event.
Italian: 1986 was a very good year for Italian wines. The wines produced that year are generally quite consistent and there are some great Barolos from Piedmont. The wines have reached full maturity but will last for a few more years.
Portugal: A good year that produced forward, fruit packed Single Quinta Vintage port wines that are at their best now and will remain so for many years, however there was no declaration of vintage in 1986. Tawny or Single Harvest Ports will offer a great alternative to Vintage Port.
Spain: The 1986 was a good vintage for Rioja and Ribera Del Duero, with the former producing some good but rather lean wines and the latter standing out for its power, structure and complexity.
Shop with Confidence
All of our premium wine gifts are available for fast, immediate delivery directly from our own cellars. With no minimum order required—buy just one bottle or as many as you like!
- Free UK standard delivery on all orders over £100
- Complimentary tasting notes and personalized gift messages—add yours at checkout
- Three-month replacement guarantee for complete peace of mind
- Choose from our exclusive range of luxury gift boxes
- Award-winning retailer: IWC Fortified Wine Merchant of the Year (2024, 2022, 2021)
- 5-Star Trusted Shops rating for exceptional customer satisfaction
45 products found.
Burmester
40 Year Old 'TORDIZ' Tawny Port in Gift Tube
IWSC (2025) - Gold Award
*** Gold Medal at the 2025 International Wine Challenge ***
Bright brown colour, with greenish nuances. Presents a bouquet with intense aromas of dried fruits, delicate spices notes and a sweet touch of honey. In the taste it is full, unctuous and velvety. This wine overflows seduction and an enormous refinement. A feeling that is extended in the long and complex finish.
This 40-year-old wine owes its name, Tordiz, to the confluence of the Torto and Mendiz rivers. It is obtained from wines that have been carefully aged in small oak casks and later blended in a small upstanding oak vat dating from 1864. …
more >>>
Price: £119.00
Stock: 26 in Stock
Palmer Port
40 Year Old Tawny Port
Was £89.95
Special Offer £74.95
Exclusive to Vintage Wine and Port
Tasting Notes: The Palmer 40 Year tawny is a careful blend of many traditional grape varieties from selected vineyards in various areas of the Douro Demarcated Region, patiently aged to resemble the taste of a port that was aged for 40 years in old oak casks. The 40 Year old has a pronounced aroma intensity that is very rich with nuts and baked cherry. There is further complexity of nutmeg and cream. On the palate the wine is very balanced between acidity and sweetness that gives a luxurious mouthfeel. Lovely richness of fruitcake, fig, baked plum, caramel and toffee. There are also notes of plum, cherry, cooked strawberry. …
more >>>
Price: £74.95
Stock: 29 in Stock
Quevedo
40 Year Old Tawny Port in Gift Box
95 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Was £119
New Year Sale Offer £99
The 40 year old Port combines the talent of 3 generations. João, Oscar Sr. and Cláudia combined their effort in the cellar to blend this balanced, intense and complex very old Tawny, pairing the concentration from Port wine aging in the Douro with the elegant style of Quevedo’s Tawny.
Produced using Hand-harvested, sustainable and dry farmed grapes, fermented in traditional Granite (vats) lagares. Aged and matured in seasoned chestnut casks and unfiltered.
Tasting notes
The colour is amber with green hints.
The aroma is a complex and intense expression with notes of citrus marmalade, dry fruits, nutmeg, marzipan and almond essence. …
more >>>
Price: £99.00
Stock: 10 in Stock
Quinta da Devesa
40 Year Old Tawny Port in Gift Box
75cl Bottle
94 Points - Wine Advocate
The Quinta da Devesa 40-Year-Old Tawny Port is a distinguished expression from the Douro Valley, reflecting the estate's dedication to traditional winemaking and sustainable viticulture. Crafted from a blend of indigenous grape varieties, including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, and Tinto Cão, this tawny port is aged in oak casks for an average of 40 years, resulting in a complex and refined profile.
In the glass, it exhibits a deep mahogany hue with amber reflections. The nose is rich and layered, offering aromas of dried fruits, honey, balsam, cloves, shaved ginger, fig, and marjoram. …
more >>>
Price: £89.95
Stock: 39 in Stock
Quinta da Devesa
40 Year Old White Port in Gift Box
50cl Bottle
WAS £89.95 Spacial Offer £74.95
92 Points- Wine Advocate
The Quinta da Devesa 40-Year-Old White Port is a rare and distinguished expression from the Douro Valley, showcasing the estate's dedication to traditional winemaking and sustainable viticulture. Crafted from a blend of indigenous white grape varieties, including Côdega de Larinho, Rabigato, and Malvasia Fina, this port is aged in oak casks for an average of 40 years, resulting in a complex and refined profile.
In the glass, it exhibits a golden white colour with slightly greenish hues. The nose is rich and layered, offering aromas of orange, vanilla, wood, nut, and honey. On the palate, it is full and fresh, with notes of dried fruit, caramel, and spices, culminating in a long, sweet, and vanilla finish. …
more >>>
Price: £74.95
Stock: 16 in Stock
Ryst Dupeyron Armagnac, 1986
Ryst Dupeyron Reserve Joseph Millesime vintage Armagnac
50cl bottle
Includes original orange colour cardboard gift box
The term "Millésime" on this label indicates that this is a single-vintage Armagnac, meaning all the grapes used were harvested in 1986. This makes for fantastic option for anyone celebrating an anniversary or birthday commemorating this year.
Tasting Notes
Armagnacs from Ryst-Dupeyron are known for their depth and complexity. Expect notes of dried fruits, vanilla, spices, oak, and perhaps hints of caramel or toffee. The extended aging period typically results in a smooth, well-rounded spirit with a long finish.
Serving & Food Pairing
Armagnac is traditionally enjoyed neat, allowing you to fully appreciate its complexity. …
more >>>
Price: £89.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Toro Albalá, 1986
DON PX
Magunm Bottle 1.5L
Don PX 1986 (Magnum) from Bodegas Toro Albalá is a monumental example of aged Pedro Ximénez, drawn from a single harvest and matured for decades in American oak casks. Made in Montilla-Moriles, Spain’s historic heartland for PX, this wine represents the estate’s commitment to time-honoured methods—sun-drying the grapes before long, oxidative ageing. Bottled in magnum format, it offers exceptional longevity, concentration, and a slow evolution that enhances both aromatic depth and palate complexity.
The appearance is striking: near-black with a dense, molasses-like texture that clings to the glass. …
more >>>
Price: £169.00
Stock: 14 in Stock
Messias
40 Year Old White Port in Gift Tube
50cl Bottle
The Messias 40 Year Old White Port showcases a remarkable light amber colour with hints of mahogany. The nose unfolds with layers of complexity, offering rich aromas of caramelized nuts, and apricot, interwoven with delicate notes of vanilla bean and aged honey. On the palate, it’s an indulgent experience, with flavours of rich butterscotch, and toasted almonds. The wine’s age is evident in its silky texture and extraordinary depth, while a vibrant acidity provides balance and freshness. The finish is long and opulent, with a lingering sweetness and a touch of spice that leaves a memorable, luxurious impression. …
more >>>
Price: £89.95
Stock: 8 in Stock
Quinta Das Carvalhas
40 Year Old Tawny Port in Gift Tube
WAS £119 Special Offer £99
The Quinta das Carvalhas 40 Year Old Tawny Port is not just a wine; it’s an experience. Whether you're gifting it to someone special or indulging in it yourself, this wine promises to deliver a memorable and luxurious tasting experience that reflects the very best of what the Douro Valley has to offer.
Tasting notes
Deep amber colour with a golden rim. A a luxurious blend of complex aromas, including hints of honey, nutmeg, vanilla, and subtle oak, all of which are indicative of its lengthy aging process. A 40 Year Old Tawny that boasts intense flavours of dried fruits like figs and apricots, alongside notes of toasted almonds, caramel, and rich spices. …
more >>>
Price: £99.00
Stock: 63 in Stock
Cabernet, 1986
F.lli Pighin
1986 Cabernet – F.lli Pighin (Friuli, Italy)
A fully mature, old-school Friulian Cabernet (likely Sauvignon with a touch of Franc) showing savoury poise over power. Deep garnet shading to tawny at the rim; aromas of dried blackcurrant and cherry, cedar and pencil shavings, bay leaf, tobacco and leather, with hints of green peppercorn, cacao and dried herbs. Mid-weight and silken on the palate: lively, cool-climate acidity carries cassis, sour-cherry and chinotto notes; tannins are fine and resolved. The finish is long and tapering with cedar spice, graphite and a touch of cocoa.
Producer note: Fratelli Pighin farms gravelly, …
more >>>
Price: £69.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Cannonau Di Sardegna, 1986
Dorgali, Sardinia
The Cannonau (also known as Cannonao, Cannonadu or Canunau) is the most popular wine from the island of Sardinia. It's mostly produced in the centre of Sardinia, even if we can find production of this famous wine in all the island. The grapes used for this Sardinian wine is the Cannonau. (At least 90 % of this grapes has to be used to be certified as original Cannonau). Cannonau is a very "strong wine" so it should be used with elaborate red meat and some types of cheese.
more >>>
Price: £69.00
Stock: 3 in Stock
Chateau Boyd-Cantenac, 1986
Cantenac Margaux 3rd Growth Classification
The 1986 Château Boyd-Cantenac is a well-aged Third Growth Margaux, originating from an exceptionally structured vintage. The 1986 Bordeaux growing season was warm and dry, leading to wines with firm tannins, deep concentration, and long aging potential. Now nearing 40 years of maturity, this vintage remains an intriguing choice for those who appreciate aged Bordeaux.
With time, this wine has developed elegant and complex aromas, evolving from its youthful fruitiness to more refined notes. The palate remains full-bodied, fresh, and intense, with a long, layered finish supported by well-integrated tannins. …
more >>>
Price: £99.00
Stock: 3 in Stock
Chateau Climens, 1986
Barsac, 1st Growth
Sweet White Wine
1986 Château Climens is a rare and exquisitely preserved Barsac, showcasing the estate’s hallmark purity, finesse and near-magical ability to age. Now approaching four decades in bottle, it has developed a glorious golden-amber hue that shimmers with depth and concentration—classic of long-matured Sémillon from this iconic Premier Cru.
The nose is extraordinarily complex and beautifully evolved. Layers of candied citrus peel, apricot tart and quince jelly merge with notes of honeycomb, saffron, toasted almond and crème brûlée. Subtle hints of chamomile, polished wood and dried pineapple bring an exotic lift, reflecting the wine’s slow, graceful maturation. …
more >>>
Price: £139.00
Stock: 10 in Stock
Chateau Cos d'Estournel, 1986
St Estephe, 2nd Growth Classification
95 Points - Robert Parker
Reviews: "The 1986 is a highly extracted wine, with a black/ruby color and plenty of toasty, smoky notes in its bouquet that suggest ripe plums and licorice. Evolving at a glacial pace, it exhibits massive, huge, ripe, extremely concentrated flavors with impressive depth and richness. It possesses power, weight, and tannin." Parker, Wine Advocate 1994
"his bottle is similar to the one last year: dense, masculine, wet sand, austere on the nose, as if the wine is slamming a door in your face, but after a time there is a lovely touch of cardamom that develops. The palate suggests that it is worth cellaring, …
more >>>
Price: £225.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chateau du Tertre, 1986
Margaux
1986 Château du Tertre – A Mature Margaux Experience
Château du Tertre, a distinguished Fifth Growth estate in Bordeaux's Margaux appellation, has a rich history of producing wines that embody the elegance and complexity characteristic of the region. The 1986 vintage, now approaching four decades of maturity, offers a unique opportunity to experience the evolution of this esteemed estate's offerings.
Tasting Profile
With the passage of time, the 1986 Château du Tertre has developed a nuanced profile. Tasting notes from 2018 describe the wine as exhibiting aromas of leather and cherry, leading to a textured and smooth palate with rustic and earthy character, culminating in a smooth finish. …
more >>>
Price: £89.95
Stock: 4 in Stock
Chateau Latour, 1986
Pauillac 1er Grand Cru Classe
The 1986 Château Latour is a highly regarded vintage from this legendary Pauillac estate. The 1986 vintage in Bordeaux, particularly for the Left Bank, is celebrated for its exceptional quality, marked by a long, dry growing season that produced highly structured, tannic wines with great aging potential. Château Latour is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blends, and the 1986 vintage is a classic example of this style. It is highly sought after by collectors due to its longevity and exceptional reputation.
Tasting Notes: Color: Deep, dark garnet, still showing youthful vibrancy despite its age. …
more >>>
Price: £525.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chateau Leoville Barton, 1986
St Julien 2eme Cru Classe
The 1986 Château Léoville Barton is a powerful, classically structured Saint-Julien from one of the most robust and long-lived vintages of the 1980s. The wine opens with an intense bouquet of blackcurrant, cedar, graphite and cigar box, underscored by hints of dried flowers, leather and warm earth. It is immediately recognisable as a firmly built, traditional Left Bank claret of serious pedigree.
On the palate, the 1986 is deep and authoritative, with dense layers of cassis, black cherry and plum wrapped in still-present, muscular tannins. Notes of tobacco, iron, pencil shavings and savoury herbs add complexity, giving the wine a distinctly Pauillac-leaning profile despite its Saint-Julien origins. …
more >>>
Price: £195.00
Stock: 6 in Stock
Chateau Lynch-Bages, 1986
Pauillac 5me Cru Classe, Bordeaux *** 94 Points - Parker ***
Château Lynch-Bages is an iconic wine estate located in the Pauillac appellation of Bordeaux, France. With a history dating back to the 18th century, the estate has established itself as one of the leading producers of exceptional red wines. Encompassing approximately 100 hectares, the vineyard benefits from gravelly soils and a maritime climate, ideal for cultivating Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot grapes. Château Lynch-Bages's wines are celebrated for their power, depth, and aging potential, exhibiting rich fruit flavors, robust tannins, and a distinct Pauillac character. …
more >>>
Price: £249.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chateau Meyney, 1986
St Estephe, Cru Grand Bourgeois Exceptional
Half Bottle
Château Meyney, located in the Saint-Estèphe appellation of Bordeaux, has a history dating back to the 17th century. The 1986 vintage, now approaching four decades of maturity, offers a unique opportunity to experience the evolution of this esteemed estate's offerings.
Tasting Profile
Over the years, the 1986 Château Meyney has developed a nuanced profile. Tasting notes from 2023 describe the wine as having very mature fruit, soft tannins, a lighter body, and a smooth finish. While the fruit has faded, it remains a pleasant old Bordeaux. Another review highlights aromas reminiscent of an old humidor, leather, prunes, and cedar, suggesting the wine is probably just past its peak. …
more >>>
Price: £62.95
Stock: 22 in Stock
Chateau Musar, 1986
Bekaar Valley, Gaston Hochar
This rare 1986 Musar is a blend of Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Carignan from this well-known and highly regarded Lebanese winery.
Chateau Musar is often referred to as the Lafite of the Lebanon. Wine maker Gaston Hochar defied the odds producing a string of great wines during the Lebanon War. Musar has assumed legendary status. Complex, long-lived and endlessly varied, in some vintages it seems more like a Burgundy, in others a Bordeaux, in still others a Hermitage. But it is always brilliantly, uniquely, Lebanese. Ages magnificently but good vintages are usually best at 10-20 years old. …
more >>>
Price: £245.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chateau Rieussec, 1986
Sauternes
1986 Château Rieussec is a beautifully evolved Sauternes from one of the appellation’s most respected Premier Cru estates. Nearly four decades on, it has reached a point of extraordinary harmony, displaying a deep amber-gold colour that reflects both concentration and graceful ageing.
The bouquet is opulent and layered, opening with aromas of marmalade, dried apricot, quince paste and honeyed pineapple. Beneath the fruit lie richer notes of crème caramel, toasted hazelnut, saffron and sweet spice, along with a subtle smokiness that comes from long bottle maturation. It’s a nose that continues to unfold with air, offering new nuances at every turn. …
more >>>
Price: £99.00
Stock: 10 in Stock
Chateau Trotte Vielle, 1986
St Emilion Premiere Grand cru Classe
The Château Trotte Vieille 1986 is a wine from the Saint-Émilion appellation in Bordeaux, France. This estate is classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classé (B) and is known for producing elegant and age-worthy wines that reflect its historic terroir. The 1986 vintage was more celebrated on the Left Bank but still yielded intriguing wines on the Right Bank, particularly for producers with meticulous vineyard management.
Wine Overview
Château Trotte Vieille is known for its classic Bordeaux blends, and the 1986 vintage is likely composed of:
Cabernet Franc (dominant): Contributing structure, floral aromatics, and herbal notes. …
more >>>
Price: £79.95
Stock: 13 in Stock
Chianti, 1986
Melini
Chianti, situated in Tuscany in central Italy, is home to probably the best-known and most iconic of all Italian wines. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are primarily made with Sangiovese grape whereas the Vernaccia grape is the basis of the white Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
more >>>
Price: £89.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chianti, 1986
Rocca delle Macie
Chianti, situated in Tuscany in central Italy, is home to probably the best-known and most iconic of all Italian wines. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are primarily made with Sangiovese grape whereas the Vernaccia grape is the basis of the white Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
more >>>
Price: £79.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chianti, 1986
Rocca delle Macie- Riserva
Chianti, situated in Tuscany in central Italy, is home to probably the best-known and most iconic of all Italian wines. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are primarily made with Sangiovese grape whereas the Vernaccia grape is the basis of the white Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
more >>>
Price: £99.00
Stock: 1 in Stock