November 16, 2023 - Premier Cru Table (The Fifth Avenue Hotel): Decanted, TCA, showing sublime texture on the palate. Big RIP, but even so I imagine LMHB will still outperform in this vintage.
July 22, 2023 - Last bottle of a case, most of which was drunk over 15 years ago. In good shape, but time has weakened this bottle and it was in the good but far from great camp.
June 3, 2023 - Very perfumed, vigorous. Classic leathery HB.
February 12, 2023 - I'm afraid this bottle was dead. Not corked and not oxidised, just dead.
February 9, 2023 - Drank at 67
Sad to say was faded and gone
February 3, 2023 - blind
I guessed right. It was unfortunately not a perfect bottle but still amazing. Still so young and fresh. Typical Bx left bank nose. Still black currant in the scent and palate. All tertiary aromas are there. 96
April 25, 2022 - Out of this world. Such generousity, the other table sent a glass over to me for no reason whatsoever, overwhelming; smoke, tobacco, chocolate, extremely intense and vibrant, no signs of decline whatsoever. 60+ years old+? You're kidding me. Complette wine, this is the Old World speaking, majestic, adds a bit of fun to drink this in the 11th arr., the absolutely hell of so called vin nature. Undeserved gift, will be remembered.
#Villaret#AprilInParis
March 12, 2022 - Not as fresh, elegant or focused as some recent bottles yet still recognizably Haut-Brion with the usual smoke and minerals on display. Good but tastes too old and lacks the kernel of mature fruit that the best ‘61s still have.
February 5, 2022 - 61s at 61 (Bourbon Steak, Aventura, Florida): As so often the case when successful, Haut-Brion is the most elegant wine of the left bank. Fortunately we were blessed with a wonderful example where the potpourri of gentle woodsmoke, blackberry, balsamic and dates is effortlessly seductive. A mild sensation of sweetness adds to the allure. A beauty suspended in time.
June 15, 2021 - Ha! I am the recipient of the 61 HB described below. First, let me say I am not a bordeaux fan. I prefer barolo and burgundy. So I had low expectations of opening a 60 year old bottle of bordeaux. Bottle was in decent condition and the capsule had faded to light pink. Cork was saturated but fill was still OK. Poured side by side with the '98 they were almost indistinguishable in color. Remarkable for its age. The palate of both wines were similar but the 61 had much more depth and leather/cigar with a long finish. This may have convinced me that there are some remarkable wines from bordeaux after all. Thanks Topper!