A magnificent example of Chateau Margaux and one of the most tannic, backward Margauxs of the last 50 years, the 1986 continues to evolve at a glacial pace. The color is still a dense ruby/purple with just a hint of lightening at the rim. With several hours of aeration, the aromatics become striking, with notes of smoke, toast, creme de cassis, mineral, and white flowers. Very full-bodied, with high but sweet tannin, great purity, and a very masculine, full-bodied style, this wine should prove nearly immortal in terms of its aging potential. It is beginning to budge from its infantile stage and approach adolescence. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2050. Last tasted, 12/02.

Robert Parker Jr - Bordeaux Book, 4th Edition Jan 2003

The 1986 Chateau Margaux is one of the dark horses of the vintage. It has an exquisite bouquet that is now fully mature, with a mixture of red and black fruit, violets, pastilles and hints of cold stone. It blossoms in the glass, gaining intensity all the time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a more robust Margaux as you would expect given the vintage, clearly with firm backbone, more straight-laced than the 1985 or 1989. Yet there is wonderful delineation and focus here. If you seek strictness and classicism in a wine, then this is the place to come, plus there is superb mineralité and tension on the ferrous finish. Perhaps a little overlooked in recent years, the 1986 Margaux comes highly recommended for those who love the property. This is a wine finally coming of age. Tasted July 2016.

Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 30 December 2016

The Chateau Margaux 1986 is one of many great wines under Paul Pontallier during the 1980s, perhaps one overlooked compared to the 1982, 1983 or 1985. It has a glorious bouquet of blackberry, truffle, violets and wine gums that gains great volume with continued aeration. The palate is voluminous with great structure and dimension, real substance and power, allied to the finesse that is the signature of this First Growth. It retains that silky, glycerin-rich finish that lacquers the mouth, yet retains immense precision and clarity. This is how First Growth's ought to be. Drink now-2030+ Tasted January 2012.

Neal Martin - Wine Journal Jul 2012