Chateau Haut Brion 1961

robert_parker100

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The 1961 Haut-Brion was pure perfection, with gloriously intense aromas of tobacco, cedar, minerals, and sweet red and black fruits complemented by smoky wood. This has always been a prodigious effort (it was the debut vintage for Jean Delmas). The notes for this wine are taken from the description of Series IV - Flight D of the 1995 tasting conducted in Munich by Helga and Hardy Rodenstock. Many years after the tasting from which this note derives allegations were made concerning the authenticity of old and rare bottles of wine sold by Hardy Rodenstock to collectors around the world. The matter has been the subject of numerous articles, litigation and at least one book. Mr. Parker believes that the wines served to him at this tasting were authentic so this note and the others from that specific tasting continue to be posted on eRobertParker.com.

robert_parker98

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

A remarkably deep garnet colour with deep tawny rim. The nose is muffled at first with notes of mulberry, plum, tobacco and espresso. It improves after 20 minutes in the glass, gaining delineation and lift, that espresso note dominating the aromatics. The palate is tannic, muscular and powerful, closed at first but blossoming after 1/2 hour. Silky smooth texture, utterly harmonious with mulberry, leather and tobacco. I sublime ’61, not quite up there with Palmer or Latour, but not far behind either. Opening a bottle now, I recommend two hours of decanting. Drinking now, but a well-stored bottle could last another 10, 20 years. Tasted December 2006. Drinking 2007-2015+

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Tasted 13 Times With Consistent Notes Although the 1961 is a great Haut-Brion, it is eclipsed in my view by its predecessor, the 1959, and more recently by the monumental 1989. Not as darkly colored as many 1961s, with surprisingly more amber/brown at the edge, this rich, luxurious wine has an intense, earthy, ripe, cedary, spicy bouquet crammed with sweet fruit. On the palate, the wine has fabulous intensity of fruit, a long, rich, alcoholic finish, and a chewy texture. The 1961 has been fully mature for the last decade, but it does not reveal any signs of decline. This is Haut-Brion at its most sumptuous and hedonistic. Anticipated maturity: now-2000.

robert_parker100

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The dark garnet-colored 1961 Haut-Brion is pure perfection, with gloriously intense aromas of tobacco, cedar, chocolate, minerals, and sweet red and black fruits complemented by smoky wood. This has always been a prodigious effort (it was the debut vintage for Jean Delmas). It is extremely full-bodied, with layers of viscous, sweet fruit. This wine is akin to eating candy. Consistently an astonishing wine! Anticipated maturity: Now-2005. Last tasted 3/97