Rounder on the nose vs the ’66, open and mature core, leafy elements, cracked leather and an almost corky waft… touch drier than ’66 to me.
Filigree sweetness on the attack, more leaf (and cardboard), and I think more delicate than the ’66. My colleagues preferred 61 vs 66 but here maybe because there was so little left, it had deteriorated?
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A certain homage must be paid to any bottle of '61 Bordeaux. Dirty original cork and a mid shoulder fill caused some worry. Funky nose upon opening. Decanted for an hour and half. This released the still abundant fruit. Glorious nose.. Well balanced with good acidity and fully resolved tannin. I suspect that this was once better, but I love old Bordeaux. This wine has aged better than I have.
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On the stoic and stern side of the style range. The wine is focused on its cigar, tobacco, cedar side with firm tannins and a tart edge to the red fruits. Some bottles are clearly better than others. It is all about the storage at this age. The bottle looked good... But it is what it is.
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61s at 61 (Bourbon Steak, Aventura, Florida): The brawny aroma in the empty glass was actually the best part of the tasting experience since for the most part this bottle despite a good appearance was much too old. There’s a vestige of that GPL burly black fruit and Pauillac dirt but no where near enough. You can drink it for the experience if you want to but you probably don’t.
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Brad's Belated Big 6-0 Birthday Celebration (Brad & Marcia's Place, St. Paul, MN): Dark red color with a 3mm transitional margin. Splash double decanted and vacuumed. Drank a glass over an hour. This was another real treat and the fourth time I have the privilege to drink this beautiful wine. With the exception of one bottle that was simply ok, all the rest have been utterly profound. Beautiful, blissful pencil, cigar ash, red fruits, deep red berries, cured meats, funk, leather integrated tannins. This has a medium plus weight, great length and grace and you would certainly never peg it for 60 years old. Thanks to Steve for again sharing this gem. 97+ to 98pts.
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5/26/2023 - Shrewsram wrote:
Rounder on the nose vs the ’66, open and mature core, leafy elements, cracked leather and an almost corky waft… touch drier than ’66 to me.
Filigree sweetness on the attack, more leaf (and cardboard), and I think more delicate than the ’66. My colleagues preferred 61 vs 66 but here maybe because there was so little left, it had deteriorated?
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8/5/2022 - melzar wrote: 93 Points
A certain homage must be paid to any bottle of '61 Bordeaux. Dirty original cork and a mid shoulder fill caused some worry. Funky nose upon opening. Decanted for an hour and half. This released the still abundant fruit. Glorious nose.. Well balanced with good acidity and fully resolved tannin. I suspect that this was once better, but I love old Bordeaux. This wine has aged better than I have.
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4/6/2022 - Jeff Leve wrote: 89 Points
On the stoic and stern side of the style range. The wine is focused on its cigar, tobacco, cedar side with firm tannins and a tart edge to the red fruits. Some bottles are clearly better than others. It is all about the storage at this age. The bottle looked good... But it is what it is.
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2/5/2022 - sdr Does not like this wine: 86 Points
61s at 61 (Bourbon Steak, Aventura, Florida): The brawny aroma in the empty glass was actually the best part of the tasting experience since for the most part this bottle despite a good appearance was much too old. There’s a vestige of that GPL burly black fruit and Pauillac dirt but no where near enough. You can drink it for the experience if you want to but you probably don’t.
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9/18/2021 - rocknroller wrote: 97 Points
Brad's Belated Big 6-0 Birthday Celebration (Brad & Marcia's Place, St. Paul, MN): Dark red color with a 3mm transitional margin. Splash double decanted and vacuumed. Drank a glass over an hour. This was another real treat and the fourth time I have the privilege to drink this beautiful wine. With the exception of one bottle that was simply ok, all the rest have been utterly profound. Beautiful, blissful pencil, cigar ash, red fruits, deep red berries, cured meats, funk, leather integrated tannins. This has a medium plus weight, great length and grace and you would certainly never peg it for 60 years old. Thanks to Steve for again sharing this gem. 97+ to 98pts.
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