Charcoal, Asian spice, plums, chocolate, barbecue, mesquite, and black raspberries pop effortlessly in the perfume. The palate is velvety, opulent, sensuous and sexy. Full, deep, intense and exotic, there is an unequaled textural feeling here that is otherworldly. Drink from 2024-2037.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
In the realm of connoisseurs, where taste is not just a sensation but an experience, there exists a wine that transcends the boundaries of ordinary indulgence – the 1961 Pétrus. This legendary vintage, a testament to the artistry of the vine and the alchemy of time, found its way into my hands, stirring a symphony of memories and emotions that only a scoundrel, adventurer, and lover of life’s finer things could truly appreciate.
Picture, if you will, the untamed wilderness of Alaska, where the rugged beauty of the landscape meets the infinite expanse of the night sky. In the heart of this wild terrain, my mother, a woman of grace and spirit, would dance around the fires, her hippie laughter mingling with the crackle of burning wood and the smell of Alaskan Thunder*** in the air. She was a lover of red wine, and her most cherished companion in those moments of uninhibited joy was none other than Pétrus of which she had cases upon cases of 61.
A gift from a musician friend who shall remain anonymous.
As I uncorked the bottle, the room was filled with the aroma of history – a heady bouquet of dark fruits, leather, and subtle spices that whispered of the vineyards of Pomerol, where this extraordinary elixir was born. With the first sip, I was transported back to those Alaskan nights, where the Northern Lights painted the sky with hues of emerald and amethyst. The wine, with its velvety texture and complex layers of flavor, was a sensory journey, a symphony that played on my palate. Each nuance was a note, echoing the laughter of my mother, the warmth of the fire, and the sheer exuberance of youth.
In the flickering glow of candlelight, I raised my glass to the memory of my mother – a woman whose love for life was as boundless as the Alaskan wilderness.
The wine danced on my tongue, weaving a tale of sun-soaked vineyards and the hands that had nurtured the grapes, transforming them into a masterpiece that stood the test of time. In each drop, there was a story – a story of passion, of craftsmanship, and of the unyielding pursuit of perfection. It was a story that resonated with the adventurer in me, a tale of exploration and discovery, of uncharted territories and hidden treasures.
As the night wore on, I found myself in a state of quiet reverence, my glass raised in a silent toast to the memory of my mother. The 1961 Pétrus had taken me on a voyage through time and space, allowing me to relive those precious moments of my youth, when the world was a canvas waiting to be painted with the vibrant hues of experience.
An Epic Vertical of Petrus (Ten Trinity Latour Club, London): Dark chocolate fondue. Amazing depth and viscosity for a wine of 58 years. Cinnamon and spice and layers of complexity. The velvety tannins are incredible. Another step up from the amazing 1962.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
There was some discussion about whether this bottle was authentic. The most experienced Petrus drinker said he thought this wine was indeed Petrus, but a lesser vintage had been substituted. In any case my notes...
Wet clay and plums. Light brown edges on the dark garnet color. Woody medium finish. Indeed, too much wood on the finish. This wasn't as round nor opulent as the few great Petrus I've tasted in the past.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Amazing purity after so long. Dried black cherries, maraschino, withered blueberry, dark chocolate, crushed violets, Asian five spice, cardamom, vanilla, oak, pencil shavings, light umami. Still so focused and great purity. A real privilege to try.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Here's a wine I thought I would never see in my life. Served next to Trotanoy, it did not share the same level of concentration, or silkyness. That aside, the wine offered a haunting nose of flowers, smoke, dark cherry liqueur, tobacco and truffle. There was richness and length. So what is the quibble? It did not offer the same length as the Trotanoy, and there was some rusticity in the tannins. Few wines live up to their legendary status, especially as time passes. This was clearly very good, but it lacked greatness.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Funky Pomerol. Quite rich and mineral-driven with black fruits, cherry liquere and chocolate mint. Despite its large scale, it is very poised and chiseled like the best '61's with a dark, dense core seemingly holding back something in reserve. The finish is complex and a little strict with notes of dark plums, coffee and graphite minerals. Seems to need more time to reach its best. 96+ At Latour, Crystal Springs.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A musty initial nose yielding to violets, dried rose petals, and darker notes of pencil shavings. A forceful palate defined on the margins by metallic notes and surprising heat but ultimately grounded by deep fruit and umami notes of black truffle and black chocolate. Paired with braised lamb shank
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The last time genuine bottles of this were served were for the State dinner given by HM The Queen to M. Sarkozy at Buckingham Palace. He didn't taste it! Anything on the market these days from 1961 is 99.9% likely to be a fake, as mine is (an acknowledged one!)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine was amazing. The fruit was still alive in a mature and mellow cherry compote with great nuances of coffee and some mushroom. The mouthfeel was amazing and the wine was palate coating. An extremely memorable few sips of wine. My favorite wine of the year. (From a 375ml)
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
HDH auction tasting at Tru (Chicago, IL): Stinky as hell. Dates, shiitake mushrooms, and more than a bit of madeirization. Slghtly leathery and there's a stemmy green note -- cab franc? Not particularly interesting -- anonymous run-of-the-mill old Bordeaux.
Warning to anyone who might have this wine or be looking to buy. One of the most faked bottles on the market (especially in large format). See article: http://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2013/06/top-12-wine-fakes
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Claret that's considrably older than me, 1959-1961; 11/15/2005-12/15/2005: The big one. I don't think I've ever anticipated a bottle as much as this one; it was my most emotionally significant bottle, it had the grandeur of the name, the allure of Terroir, the reputation of 1961 and the fact that I could never under any foreseeable circumstances ever actually afford to drink another Petrus. All these ratcheted up the excitement level to a point when it was always going to be difficult to fulfill its destiny. The hyperbolic notes I had read about it didn’t help either, I was expecting and 'blockbuster' quasi-religious experience - all from a bottle of wine. It wasn't that it was disappointing, just a totally different taste sensation than I had been expecting. The nose was a little mystical, though that could have been the sandalwood reminding me of hippier days,. The fruit was vibrant, very ripe and positively mouth-watering. Espresso, bitter chocolate, lapsang, iron fillings, pencil sharpenings all featured in the decades of nuance on the nose. The palate was no 'blockbuster' though. Rich and showing the famed ripeness of 1961, but it was not the power I felt but the depth. The most startling thing for me was that it still felt young, there was plenty of tannic backbone and a amazing freshness. Combined with the subtleties of age it was a powerful experience. You know the lyric ‘I wish I knew what I know now, when I was younger’. Well this bottle of wine did. It showed all the complexity and wisdom of 45 years in the body of a teenager. Quite remarkable
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
My last bottle, shared with Hugh and Grace to celebrate her 40th birthday. Not as thrilling as before, but close. Superb. Luscious. Massively fruity again. Not subtle. Overwhelming. Obvious but impossible not to fall in love even if you don’t respect yourself in the morning.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Andy’s magnum, from a wine shop in Las Vegas. A stupefying masterpiece which cannot adequately be described in mere words. Massive waves of rich plummy fruit fill every corner of the mouth and palate. Firm impression but not from tannins. The intoxicating smell, ravishingly fruit and firm endless finish make this the experience of a lifetime. Even better than the perfect standard 750ml. bottles. Too bad the ratings end at 100 points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Perfect again, from its captivating complex intense nose of chocolate, mint and red and black berries. Lusciously fruity. Long finish of pure fruit. Perfectly mature. Everything in harmony. Port-like texture. Beyond great.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bel-Air bottle. Enjoyed at Café L’Europe Palm Beach. The Mount Everest of Bordeaux. There is no better. Dark center, amber/orange rim. Fully mature, à point. Huge wine. Apotheosis of Merlot. Smells of dark plum and prune. Massively fruity and sweet. Endless finish. The most luscious wine I have ever tasted, or ever will. Impossibly good. Not cheap, now $5000.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Guessed by most at our “Perfect Wine Dinner” as ‘82 Mouton or ‘82 Cheval Blanc. Everyone was astonished how youthful it was. Deep ruby, no garnet. Magnificent complex delicate feminine flower basket nose erupted from the glass. Rich and deep on the palate. Some unresolved tannins and acid. Needs 5 more years. Great but not perfect - yet.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pétrus vertical. Excellent color, orange rim. Enticing sweet nose. Full and lush. A little hard on the finish, though. Holds well in the glass. Very, very fine but not mind blowing. Like most of the other vintages today better on the palate than the nose.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
2/26/2024 - Jeff Leve wrote: 100 Points
Charcoal, Asian spice, plums, chocolate, barbecue, mesquite, and black raspberries pop effortlessly in the perfume. The palate is velvety, opulent, sensuous and sexy. Full, deep, intense and exotic, there is an unequaled textural feeling here that is otherworldly. Drink from 2024-2037.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/27/2023 - BellevuePhil Likes this wine: 100 Points
In the realm of connoisseurs, where taste is not just a sensation but an experience, there exists a wine that transcends the boundaries of ordinary indulgence – the 1961 Pétrus. This legendary vintage, a testament to the artistry of the vine and the alchemy of time, found its way into my hands, stirring a symphony of memories and emotions that only a scoundrel, adventurer, and lover of life’s finer things could truly appreciate.
Picture, if you will, the untamed wilderness of Alaska, where the rugged beauty of the landscape meets the infinite expanse of the night sky. In the heart of this wild terrain, my mother, a woman of grace and spirit, would dance around the fires, her hippie laughter mingling with the crackle of burning wood and the smell of Alaskan Thunder*** in the air. She was a lover of red wine, and her most cherished companion in those moments of uninhibited joy was none other than Pétrus of which she had cases upon cases of 61.
A gift from a musician friend who shall remain anonymous.
As I uncorked the bottle, the room was filled with the aroma of history – a heady bouquet of dark fruits, leather, and subtle spices that whispered of the vineyards of Pomerol, where this extraordinary elixir was born. With the first sip, I was transported back to those Alaskan nights, where the Northern Lights painted the sky with hues of emerald and amethyst. The wine, with its velvety texture and complex layers of flavor, was a sensory journey, a symphony that played on my palate. Each nuance was a note, echoing the laughter of my mother, the warmth of the fire, and the sheer exuberance of youth.
In the flickering glow of candlelight, I raised my glass to the memory of my mother – a woman whose love for life was as boundless as the Alaskan wilderness.
The wine danced on my tongue, weaving a tale of sun-soaked vineyards and the hands that had nurtured the grapes, transforming them into a masterpiece that stood the test of time. In each drop, there was a story – a story of passion, of craftsmanship, and of the unyielding pursuit of perfection. It was a story that resonated with the adventurer in me, a tale of exploration and discovery, of uncharted territories and hidden treasures.
As the night wore on, I found myself in a state of quiet reverence, my glass raised in a silent toast to the memory of my mother. The 1961 Pétrus had taken me on a voyage through time and space, allowing me to relive those precious moments of my youth, when the world was a canvas waiting to be painted with the vibrant hues of experience.
Note to self: She’s ready now, but needs an hour.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
7/2/2023 - gayocamuzet69 Likes this wine: 100 Points
The apex predator of Bordeaux. And for good reason.
Tasted out of the bottle for posterity. Not flawed.
Poured into the glass after 90 minutes. Huge and round. Super ripe tannins; could have been 80s
3 hours in, you see why this is the king. Rich chocolate, spices, perfectly balanced, perfectly elegant.
A unicorn of unicorns. 100 / 100
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/29/2021 - tinybubbles Likes this wine: 98 Points
Dense palate loaded with dark fruit and earth tones. Quite a young bottle, many many decades to go. 98+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/2/2019 - nywine68 wrote: 99 Points
An Epic Vertical of Petrus (Ten Trinity Latour Club, London): Dark chocolate fondue. Amazing depth and viscosity for a wine of 58 years. Cinnamon and spice and layers of complexity. The velvety tannins are incredible. Another step up from the amazing 1962.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/8/2018 - Alex G. wrote:
There was some discussion about whether this bottle was authentic. The most experienced Petrus drinker said he thought this wine was indeed Petrus, but a lesser vintage had been substituted. In any case my notes...
Wet clay and plums. Light brown edges on the dark garnet color. Woody medium finish. Indeed, too much wood on the finish. This wasn't as round nor opulent as the few great Petrus I've tasted in the past.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/16/2018 - dwmichel Likes this wine: 98 Points
Amazing purity after so long. Dried black cherries, maraschino, withered blueberry, dark chocolate, crushed violets, Asian five spice, cardamom, vanilla, oak, pencil shavings, light umami. Still so focused and great purity. A real privilege to try.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/17/2017 - Jeff Leve wrote: 96 Points
Here's a wine I thought I would never see in my life. Served next to Trotanoy, it did not share the same level of concentration, or silkyness. That aside, the wine offered a haunting nose of flowers, smoke, dark cherry liqueur, tobacco and truffle. There was richness and length. So what is the quibble? It did not offer the same length as the Trotanoy, and there was some rusticity in the tannins. Few wines live up to their legendary status, especially as time passes. This was clearly very good, but it lacked greatness.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/19/2016 - tinybubbles Likes this wine: 96 Points
Tight and dense, with big fruit that was still somewhat primary. Despite its size, a silkiness to the palate. 96-97+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/15/2016 - SimonS wrote: 96 Points
From magnum, beautiful and a real treat, but perhaps losing just a touch of power at age 55.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/4/2016 - dream Likes this wine: 96 Points
Funky Pomerol. Quite rich and mineral-driven with black fruits, cherry liquere and chocolate mint. Despite its large scale, it is very poised and chiseled like the best '61's with a dark, dense core seemingly holding back something in reserve. The finish is complex and a little strict with notes of dark plums, coffee and graphite minerals. Seems to need more time to reach its best. 96+ At Latour, Crystal Springs.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/24/2016 - tinybubbles Likes this wine: 97 Points
A musty initial nose yielding to violets, dried rose petals, and darker notes of pencil shavings. A forceful palate defined on the margins by metallic notes and surprising heat but ultimately grounded by deep fruit and umami notes of black truffle and black chocolate. Paired with braised lamb shank
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/1/2015 - DigbyLS wrote: 50 Points
The last time genuine bottles of this were served were for the State dinner given by HM The Queen to M. Sarkozy at Buckingham Palace. He didn't taste it!
Anything on the market these days from 1961 is 99.9% likely to be a fake, as mine is (an acknowledged one!)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/4/2014 - rdsboca Likes this wine: 98 Points
This wine was amazing. The fruit was still alive in a mature and mellow cherry compote with great nuances of coffee and some mushroom. The mouthfeel was amazing and the wine was palate coating. An extremely memorable few sips of wine. My favorite wine of the year. (From a 375ml)
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/10/2014 - ricknat1 wrote: flawed
Corked and Fake
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/18/2013 - johnh1001 wrote:
Unfortunately an off-bottle. Clearly maderized. Interesting to try nonetheless with leather and a herbal/green pepper note dominating the palate.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/21/2013 - acyso wrote:
HDH auction tasting at Tru (Chicago, IL): Stinky as hell. Dates, shiitake mushrooms, and more than a bit of madeirization. Slghtly leathery and there's a stemmy green note -- cab franc? Not particularly interesting -- anonymous run-of-the-mill old Bordeaux.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
9/21/2013 - tooch wrote: flawed
HDH Auction (Tru - Chicago, IL): Maderized. Despite the flaw, there were interesting tea, , balsamic, and green pepper notes buried underneath.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/20/2013 - Vino Me wrote:
Warning to anyone who might have this wine or be looking to buy. One of the most faked bottles on the market (especially in large format). See article:
http://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2013/06/top-12-wine-fakes
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/22/2013 - ghghgh wrote: 51 Points
sucked
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/16/2012 - All about the wine wrote: 98 Points
Almost as good as the best bottle consumed. Nicolas bottling. Superb and in perfect condition.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/13/2010 - Flsherklng wrote: 100 Points
At cafe pacific
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/2/2005 - The Wine Bum wrote:
Claret that's considrably older than me, 1959-1961; 11/15/2005-12/15/2005: The big one. I don't think I've ever anticipated a bottle as much as this one; it was my most emotionally significant bottle, it had the grandeur of the name, the allure of Terroir, the reputation of 1961 and the fact that I could never under any foreseeable circumstances ever actually afford to drink another Petrus. All these ratcheted up the excitement level to a point when it was always going to be difficult to fulfill its destiny. The hyperbolic notes I had read about it didn’t help either, I was expecting and 'blockbuster' quasi-religious experience - all from a bottle of wine. It wasn't that it was disappointing, just a totally different taste sensation than I had been expecting. The nose was a little mystical, though that could have been the sandalwood reminding me of hippier days,. The fruit was vibrant, very ripe and positively mouth-watering. Espresso, bitter chocolate, lapsang, iron fillings, pencil sharpenings all featured in the decades of nuance on the nose. The palate was no 'blockbuster' though. Rich and showing the famed ripeness of 1961, but it was not the power I felt but the depth. The most startling thing for me was that it still felt young, there was plenty of tannic backbone and a amazing freshness. Combined with the subtleties of age it was a powerful experience. You know the lyric ‘I wish I knew what I know now, when I was younger’. Well this bottle of wine did. It showed all the complexity and wisdom of 45 years in the body of a teenager. Quite remarkable
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/1/2005 - Flsherklng wrote: 100 Points
The mator d nearly had a heart attack opening this one!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/1/2001 - sdr Likes this wine: 98 Points
My last bottle, shared with Hugh and Grace to celebrate her 40th birthday. Not as thrilling as before, but close. Superb. Luscious. Massively fruity again. Not subtle. Overwhelming. Obvious but impossible not to fall in love even if you don’t respect yourself in the morning.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/1/2000 - sdr Likes this wine: 100 Points
Andy’s magnum, from a wine shop in Las Vegas. A stupefying masterpiece which cannot adequately be described in mere words. Massive waves of rich plummy fruit fill every corner of the mouth and palate. Firm impression but not from tannins. The intoxicating smell, ravishingly fruit and firm endless finish make this the experience of a lifetime. Even better than the perfect standard 750ml. bottles. Too bad the ratings end at 100 points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/1998 - sdr Likes this wine: 100 Points
Perfect again, from its captivating complex intense nose of chocolate, mint and red and black berries. Lusciously fruity. Long finish of pure fruit. Perfectly mature. Everything in harmony. Port-like texture. Beyond great.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/1/1997 - sdr Likes this wine: 100 Points
Bel-Air bottle. Enjoyed at Café L’Europe Palm Beach. The Mount Everest of Bordeaux. There is no better. Dark center, amber/orange rim. Fully mature, à point. Huge wine. Apotheosis of Merlot. Smells of dark plum and prune. Massively fruity and sweet. Endless finish. The most luscious wine I have ever tasted, or ever will. Impossibly good. Not cheap, now $5000.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/1993 - sdr Likes this wine: 96 Points
Guessed by most at our “Perfect Wine Dinner” as ‘82 Mouton or ‘82 Cheval Blanc. Everyone was astonished how youthful it was. Deep ruby, no garnet. Magnificent complex delicate feminine flower basket nose erupted from the glass. Rich and deep on the palate. Some unresolved tannins and acid. Needs 5 more years. Great but not perfect - yet.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/1/1989 - sdr Likes this wine: 94 Points
Pétrus vertical. Excellent color, orange rim. Enticing sweet nose. Full and lush. A little hard on the finish, though. Holds well in the glass. Very, very fine but not mind blowing. Like most of the other vintages today better on the palate than the nose.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/1989 - sdr Likes this wine: 88 Points
Fairly advanced color, no brown. Fully mature. Stunning bouquet. Violets and Spring flowers. But too dry. It should be better than this.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment