Turning 50; a few 1961s

Many thanks to Scott and Kate for hosting and organizing this get together of fabulous food and wine on the day after I turned 50 myself.

• NV Jacques Selosse Initial 93 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  This was fabulous. Focused and racy with a laser like beam of citrus and stones that cut through the palate. Hints of dough and yeast with very fine, pin point bubbles and a lengthy, mouth watering finish.

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Butter poached lobster tail and risotto. Perhaps one of the best match ups of the night.

• 1961 Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux 1ère Trie Clos du Bourg 96 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

  This bottle looked pristine. New label and capsule. When opened, it also had a new cork. Counterfeit? Not likely, as this was purchased through the Rare Wine Company, which is the official importer for Huet. This must have been reconditioned at Huet. A lovely, bright, dark yellowish/gold color; practically no sediment. Heavenly on the palate, with honey, marmalade, marzipan, honeysuckle and brown spices. Fabulous acidity. With air, a more pronounced mineral note emerges. Super vibrant, alive and unbelievably youthful. Wow! A perfect match with butter poached lobster tail and risotto.

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Major decadence, goose done six ways: roast goose breast, goose confit, goose pate, goose risotto, potatoes fried in goose fat and spinach sauteed with goose innards.

• 1961 Fratelli Berteletti Gattinara 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Gattinara

  This was the surprise of the night, as I was not expecting much, but this was truly a testament to the age-ability of Nebbiolo. Purchased though an online auction for $1, but then $65 dollars was added in shipping fees from Italy to the US. The bottle was in superb condition, with the fill level just into the neck. The cork seemed reasonably old, breaking in half upon extraction. Light garnet in color. This was light and lean yet crisp and refreshing. A lot of fruit has dropped, but lovely secondary notes (mostly dried flowers and forest floor) entice the senses. Lively on the palate. Surprisingly, this improved with air, opening up more and providing a more generous palate. Fabulous showing.

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• 1961 Château Mont-Redon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  This bottle was in excellent condition with good color and fill level. The cork split upon extraction. A bit funky when first opened, but this cleaned up quickly. Very secondary and tertiary, with earth, tobacco leaf and dried fruit. This sweetened up with some air. Dusty, chewy finish of moderate length. Quite good, but I think this would have been better at 40 rather than 50 years of age.

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• 1961 Mommessin Chambertin-Clos de Bèze 87 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru

  This bottle looked in incredible shape, with correct color and a very good fill level. The cork split in half as it was extracted. This had a bit of a muddied nose upon cork extraction, but in the glass is was quite nice. There were dried cherries, earth, tomato leaf and a milk chocolate note. The acidity was just barely holding on. Enjoyable for the first few minutes, but this degraded fairly quickly with air, taking on an oxidized quality.

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Lamb chops

• 1961 Château Haut-Brion 97 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  This bottle was in very good condition, with the cork extracted (with a "waiter's friend" corkscrew) without breaking. Gotta love the quality corks used by the first growths. This was a "wow" wine from the very start. Extroverted aromas of earth, mineral, cedar, leather, crushed stones and dried herbs. The tannins were accessible, silky and fine, yet still provided good focus and spine. Flavorful and weightless, with wonderful length. Flamboyant, yet in a refined way.

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• 1961 Torres Cabernet Sauvignon Penedès Gran Coronas Reserva 91 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Penedès

  The bottle was in excellent, almost new condition. The cork looked new, so I suspect this was a reconditioned bottle. Milky, earthy, dusty and slightly stalky. Very nice, but I was expecting more.

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• 1961 Château d'Yquem 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Expectations were low for this bottle. Not a "great" vintage for Sauternes and there was some slight signs of past seepage from the capsule; however, this certainly over delivered. The color was the golden caramel hue one would expect at this age, yet the flavors were surprisingly fresh, vibrant and youthful. Marmalade, orange, honey and citrus. A bit of an orange/coconut note on the finish. Perhaps this did not posses a "great" acidic spine, but it was certainly more than adequate. Not thick and rich but still holding onto some nice sweetness. I really loved it.

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• 1935 Château Filhot 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Before opening it was noticed that the cork on this wine was slipping down the neck. At 76 years of age, this was surprisingly vibrant. Orange, honey and earl grey tea notes were detected, with a slight "earthy" element that detracted slightly, but this was nonetheless delicious. This was certainly more on the dry side, with the sugar being quite resolved at this point. The acids were sound and an orange rind and almost mineral finish provided an elegant "lifted" and tangy finish. Not much weight but this bottle survived its old age quite well.

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