The brilliant 1986 Cabernet Franc has aged exceptionally well. It has never gone through a dumb period and continues to develop without losing any of its gorgeously rich fruit or unctuous texture. Still exhibiting a youthful opaque dark plum color, with no amber, it possesses a sweet nose of underbrush, blackcurrants, minerals, and spices. Lush, thick, rich, and medium to full-bodied, with gorgeous balance and loads of sweet fruit, this is a delicious, complex, fully mature wine that should continue to drink well for another decade. Bravo! The tasting notes for this section are from two single blind tastings, one conducted in May, 1996, in California, and the other in June, 1996, in Baltimore.