Community Tasting Note
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sirpat00 wrote: 92 points
September 20, 2021 - Grand 1961 vs 1955 vintage tasting (Fribourg): Big 1961 vs 1955 tastings including 10 direct match-ups and 11 individual wines from 1961. The tasting was conducted in flights of 4, single-blind and with no previous decant with all bottles opened 1h prior to start. The line-up was dominated by Bordeaux reds, but also included 5 Sauternes, 1 Champagne, 3 Burgundy reds and 1 Ribera del Duero. The following observations are worth mentioning: i) 1961 generally came across as a better vintage today than 1955, ii) the performance correlated with the 1855 classification, iii) The most outstanding wines were outside of the Bordeaux reds with Veuve Clicquot Rosé '61, Vega Sicilia Unico '61 (both 97) and La Tour Blanche '61 (96) worth mentioning, iv) Top-performing Bordeaux was Margaux (95) in 1961 and Mouton in 1955. List of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Ripe red and blue berry fruit providing for a clearly much younger appearance. Fresh green herbs and mocha come on top while aging notes gathered more in the background. The palate was bursting with energy, fruit, vibrancy. However, a pretty tangible tannin structure which will probably never really integrate.1 person found this helpful 1,063 views
1 Comment
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Jake Barnes commented:
12/27/22, 9:34 AM - Thanks for your note!
It’s astounding that a wine from a petit chateau—and a wine that is mostly merlot—held up so well for 60 years. I’m looking around for some ‘61 Bordeaux. Sadly I can’t afford Palmer, etc., but some professional sources suggest that there is value to be had from well-kept bottles from lesser producers. This would seem to prove it!