Happy Birthday Wines!

Bern's Steakhouse, Tampa, FL
Tasted Monday, January 31, 2011 by wineismylife with 709 views

Introduction

I recently celebrated my 50th birthday. I am very fortunate to have been born in 1961, one of the greatest vintages of the previous century. Virtually every major wine region in the world made great wine during 1961. So for my 50th birthday Cynthia and I finally made the pilgrimage to Bern's Steakhouse in Tampa, FL. Bern's is a sort of mecca for serious wine aficionados. The have tens of thousands of bottles going back into the 1800s impeccably stored in their warehouse. So it was here that I was fortunate enough to open a birth year wine this year, the 1961 Brane-Cantenac that performed absolutely stunningly during this particular showing. Stealing the show this wine was held in company by the 1982 Taittinger Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne to start the evening and the 1970 Warre Porto Vintage to wrap things up.

Here are the results:

Flight 1 (3 Notes)

  • 1982 Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut 94 Points

    France, Champagne

    WIML94-95?

    Tasted non blind. Opened and served immediately. Followed over about three hours.

    Yellow color in the glass, clear looking throughout with very light beading. Nose of toast, honey and roasted almonds. Later showed some lovely caramel aromas. Flavors of pears, tangy apples and a hint of lemon. Later showed some lovely caramel flavors. Medium to bright acidity, full bodied. Drink or hold.

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  • 1961 Château Brane-Cantenac 95 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    WIML95+

    Tasted non blind. Opened and decanted for sediment right before serving. Followed over about 90 minutes to two hours.

    Beautiful garnet color in the glass with vibrant coloring and no signs of bricking. Stunning nose of cedar, mixed florals, berries and cherries. Solid flavors of red berries, red cherries and light notes of cranberry on the medium to long finish. Bright acidity, medium tannins, medium to full bodied. With impeccable provenance like this bottle you can drink or hold.

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  • 1970 Warre Porto Vintage 94 Points

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    WIML94+/-

    Tasted non blind.

    Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, fairly clear looking throughout. Nose of currants, melted black licorice and dark plums. Flavors of currants, nuts, licorice and plums. Medium acidity, full bodied. Drink or hold.

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