Wine Advisor
La Tour Haut Brion 1961
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Many of the wines that should be considered for inclusion in a list of the century's greatest red Bordeaux come from the tiny property of Latour-Haut-Brion which for some time has been the second wine of La Mission-Haut-Brion. Anyone who has tasted the 1982, 1975, 1961, 1959, 1955, 1949, and the inconsistent but potentially superb 1947 recognizes that this wine, now largely forgotten by the Bordeaux cognoscenti, has produced some extraordinarily rich, beefy, full-bodied, powerhouse wines that have admirably stood the test of time. Moreover, since Latour-Haut-Brion has always been eclipsed by the justifiable prestige accorded to its neighbors, La Mission-Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion, it can be purchased for a reasonable price at auction.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1961 La Tour-Haut-Brion exhibited remarkable concentration and richness, and seemed to have a full 20 years of life ahead of it. It is very dark in color, with just a touch of amber. This big, chewy, viscous wine had an opulent and exotic bouquet of ripe currants, cinnamon, tobacco, and truffles.It is massively proportioned, with layers of fruit, and oodles of tannin still present. The 1961 La Tour-Haut-Brion was a gustatory tour de force. Anticipated maturity: Now-2030. Last tasted, 3/79.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
This wine has performed better in other tastings. In a tasting several months ago, the wine revealed a healthy dark, plummy color, a soft, earthy, mineral, licorice, and smoky-scented nose, ripe, medium-bodied, surprisingly soft flavors, and a fine finish. It lacked the richness and plentitude of the top wines of the 1961 vintage.
About the Producer
La Tour Haut Brion was a separate château, under the same ownership as Châteaux Haut Brion and La Mission Haut Brion. Until 1983 Ch. la Tour Haut-Brion was the second wine of La Mission Haut-Brion, but after the take-over of La Mission and La Tour by the Domaine Clarence Dillon, La Tour gained its own identity. The last vintage of this wine in its own right was 2005, it has since been incorporated into the production of La Mission. The vineyards are planted with 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc, 23% Merlot, a similar mix to Haut Brion itself.
