September 2, 2022 - 1972 Bordeaux horizontal tasting: Had the 72 Lafite before but saw it clearly behind the 72 Latour. Hence was surprised by how well this bottle was showing. Lighter in color than the other Bordeaux with a very pale transparent ruby. Very fragrant on nose and palate, a touch of red fruit, floral and earthy notes. Beautiful wine and best Bdx that evening. Would have put this into the Burgundy camp blind.
August 14, 2020 - Not sure if this was not stored properly, flawed or just way past its prime. Even at its peak this was not worthy of its heritage. Undrinkable
December 19, 2019 - For several years I was convinced that this bottle was a 1961. I bought it from an older gentleman, Harry, who lived in my building. It started when he asked me, on the elevator, if I wanted a wine fridge. He explained that he had Cancer and could no longer drink. Of the two bottles in his wine fridge, this was one. I volunteered to find the value of this wine, which he insisted was a 1961. I had no reason to not believe him - long story short - I gave him $800 for this bottle and a working wine fridge.
Recently, I thought about opening this with family over the Holidays. While looking at the label, I noticed two things. There is small type across the top of the label “societe Civille ...” and the volume was labelled 73cl. As I researched this, I began to suspect it was not a 61 but possibly something from the 70s or an outright forgery.
Today I worked hard to preserve the cork. After pulling it out in pieces, I was able to piece it together to read “1972”. I am fairly certain this is a Lafite, but Rather than a Lafite from the best vintage of the 2nd half of the Century, its arguably from one of the worst.
So, The wine ... It has been open about 30 minutes. The color is very light, garnet to brown trending towards amber. Smells of loam and barnyard - not the good kind - dried animal urine on trampled hay. The flavor is high toned with underripe blackberries and Cranberries. Very short finish and a tin aftertaste.
Will let it sit and check in on it.
Backup plan for dinner - Vega Sicilia 2001 release of R.E.
September 2, 2016 - Bottle in excellent condition with bottom neck fill and top of cork still dry. Ruby turning mahogany towards the rim. Clean on the palatw with fragrant sweet red fruit, leather and tobacco. High acidity. No tannins. Decent finish.
This is obviously not going anywhere but it's a pleasure to drink and I think good bottles could stay at this level for another decade. Not at the level of 72 Latour but better than both the Mouton and Haut Brion I have had. Still need to try Margaux, Cheval Blanc and La Mission from this dismal vintage
June 28, 2016 - Upon opening, you still get some aroma of old bordeaux. Everything is softened with plums, metal, sous bois and some green olives. Over the peak but its not bad given the difficult vintage and age.
September 28, 2013 - Got this bottle as a gift 11 years ago. It was kept under poor conditions and had signs of past seepage. Nevertheless I decided to give it a go against Lafite 1980 & 1981 for my 36th Birthday. The cork was very hard to get out and we decanted for sediment. The wine is past it’s time, but I have great respect for a wine that is 40+ years.
May 6, 2013 - It was past due but you could still smell the flavours
December 14, 2009 - Pierre Morey/Lafite Lunch: A remarkable surprise from what should be the most knackered wine imaginable given the dreadful vintage. A little dusty coming out of the bottle, but the funk more or less cleared up. Very vegetal however, and slightly stewed - like old vegetable broth. Not unpleasant, though. The palate has lost most of its structure, but there is still a classic elegance there. The rot that apparently blighted the year isn't apparent at all - a tribute to the amount of effort that must have gone into triage. I admit that I'm more partial to old and funky wines than most, but this really isn't dead at all in my view. Quite an interesting experience, although the 70 drunk alongside is obviously a far greater wine.
February 3, 2007 - Nice nose at first....but waaayyy over the hill
November 2, 1993 - Christie's Pre-Sale Tasting (Amsterdam): Old and light; not completely clean, edgy acidity.