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  • Country ranking ?

    962
  • Producer ranking ?

    24
  • Decanting time

    2h
  • When to drink

    now to 2040
  • Food Pairing

    Risotto and Asiago “Thumbprints”

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The Story

The result of rigorous selection at each stage of production, in both the vineyard and the winery, this great, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon wine is typical of the Saint-Estèphe appellation. Structured and tannic but with all the elegance and refinement of a Grand Cru Classé, with time it develops a delicate and complex bouquet.

The wines have considerable ageing potential and are exceptionally long-lived. Certain vintages (1921, 1929, 1...

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Vintage 1961

1961 - the greatest Bordeaux vintage of all time?

I am writing this during the primeur campaign and I notice that Bordeaux château owners and merchants have been exceptionally quiet this year. I've been following this part of the market remotely for almost 30 years now and have been told about a lot of the "vintages of the century". Once wines are bottled and sold or vice versa, as is the case in Bordeaux, these claims tend to be changed.

...

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Average Bottle Price

2017 2015 2013 2010 2005 2000 1995
775€ +7.5% 721€ +14.1% 632€ +42.7% 443€ +13.9% 389€ +46.8% 265€ +26.2% 210€

This data comes from the FINE Auction Index, a composite of average prices for wines sold at commercial auctions in 20 countries. The average prices from each year have been collected since 1990. This chart plots the index value of the average price of the wines.

Tasting note

color

Medium and Brick red

ending

Flavorful

flavors

Blackberry, Blackcurrant, Blueberry, Plum, Toasty and Chocolate

nose

Intense, Seductive and Round

recommend

Yes

taste

Warming, Perfectly balanced, Well-Integrated, Developing, Medium-bodied, Harmonious, Perfumed, Refined and Silky tannins

Veridict

Impressive and Well made

Written Notes

It had a very vegetal nose at first with lots of that 1990 horse, animal and barnyard action. Michel was quick to point out that 1961 may be a 'legendary vintage, but bottles are not always legendary.' I started to work the wine in my glass a bit, and the earth of St. Estephe emerged, but the wine had a bit of a mildewy edge that was bothersome, and it was not cork or bottle taint. The wine was much better on the palate, where it was rich, smooth, satiny and round. Almost fully mature, there was still vigor and life here, but it was not the impression that most '61s give me on a regular basis. There were solid leather flavors, and the wine was certainly very good, but not great. I wondered about the bottle being affected somehow

  • 92p

Full, deep red-ruby. Classic St. Estephe aromas of smoky red fruits, minerals, olive and bitter chocolate. Flavors are fully mature, but this powerfully structured wine has elevated acidity and grip of steel. Slightly decadent marzipan sweetness on the back. Classic old-styled claret. Drink now through 2025.

  • 93p

The 1961 Montrose is a wine I drank regularly when I was learning about Bordeaux, so I have plenty of experience over the years. It is a great Saint Estèphe, although readers should note that I have found considerable bottle variation with some displaying unwanted Bovril-like aromas. This was a perfectly sound example. Blackberry, graphite, Japanese nori and light sandalwood aromas furnish the nose, good vigour and intensity, but it does lose some of its initial impact after 30 minutes. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, distinctly earthy in style, especially compared to the 1961 Cos d'Estournel but with a clean, fresh, classic tobacco infused finish. Excellent. Tasted at the 1961 dinner Chairman Miaow’s in Hong Kong.

  • 93p
In neck fill. Ruby, broad brick rim. Tobacco, exotic spices, plums, figs and some cassis. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, lively, fruity, red berries, detailed, nuanced, playful, lovely balance, refreshing. Long. Ever so slightly dry at it's very end. 94
  • 94p
D 2 h / G 2 h Medium-intense brick red colour. Round and very toasty and seductive nose with sweet cocoa and dark chocolate aromas. Medium-bodied palate is intense and round with mellow tannins and ripe dark fruits. Harmonious wine with great appeal. The wine is peaking now and will evolve most likely another 4-6 years.
  • 94p
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Information

Origin

St. Estephe, Bordeaux

Vintage Quality

Extraordinary

Value For Money

Very good

Investment potential

Bellow Average

Fake factory

None

Glass time

1h

Drinking temperature

16
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