While the 1961 Branaire Ducru isn't a good example of a top '61, it shows an attractive, broad, and mellow nose, freshened by cranberry and allspice. There's more volatile acidity here than is really ideal, but it's manageable. Soft red fruit defines the palate, though for all its lushness this does seem to be tiring. Excellent color and fill, bought and drunk in Paris.
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Drunk at the Koala Bar Hong Kong - From Magnum (and I suspect that was the key to the success of this bottle). There is no question that this wine has reached its zenith and is perhaps sliding gracefully down hill now. Nevertheless, a throughly enjoyable example of the sweetness that comes with old claret and sufficient acid to keep this going for most of the evening.
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Tobacco and cedar, paired with ripe, sweet, red fruits and cigar box, held up nicely. Medium bodied, vibrant, and just a hint of classic rusticity on the palate, this is fully mature.
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Amazing that this was a 61. Red fruit and balanced minerality. Deep and long. Medium bodied and still crazy fresh. Really enjoyed this one and kudos to Brad for recommending this over more expensive choices.
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1/16/2023 - englishman's claret wrote: 91 Points
While the 1961 Branaire Ducru isn't a good example of a top '61, it shows an attractive, broad, and mellow nose, freshened by cranberry and allspice. There's more volatile acidity here than is really ideal, but it's manageable. Soft red fruit defines the palate, though for all its lushness this does seem to be tiring. Excellent color and fill, bought and drunk in Paris.
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11/17/2018 - KoalaHK wrote:
Drunk at the Koala Bar Hong Kong - From Magnum (and I suspect that was the key to the success of this bottle). There is no question that this wine has reached its zenith and is perhaps sliding gracefully down hill now. Nevertheless, a throughly enjoyable example of the sweetness that comes with old claret and sufficient acid to keep this going for most of the evening.
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10/13/2018 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Sweet and round. Short on the finish but very alive. Intensely good.
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1/28/2018 - Jeff Leve wrote: 91 Points
Tobacco and cedar, paired with ripe, sweet, red fruits and cigar box, held up nicely. Medium bodied, vibrant, and just a hint of classic rusticity on the palate, this is fully mature.
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8/3/2015 - nikos wrote: 95 Points
Amazing that this was a 61. Red fruit and balanced minerality. Deep and long. Medium bodied and still crazy fresh. Really enjoyed this one and kudos to Brad for recommending this over more expensive choices.
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