1986 Charles Viénot Richebourg “Grand Cru”. Level: one cm. Under cork. Capsule: very good. Label: very good. The 1986 vintage for Burgundy was largely good despite some difficulties. The growing season began with an icy winter that eventually gave way to a chilly, damp spring. The cooler than usual temperatures meant both budbreak and flowering were delayed but were successful when they occurred. The weather than steadied over the summer until heavy storms broke late August and the rains continued well into September prompting an outbreak of unwanted rot and disease. Fortunately, the weather recovered and warm, dry days returned in time for the harvest with picking able to take place at a leisurely pace. Despite a tricky growing season, the resulting wines were mostly successful. The best examples tending to come from the Côte de Nuits as the Côte de Beaune tended to suffer slightly more from diluted grapes.