4 bottles per lot
Details
CHÂTEAU MOUTON ROTHSCHILD
A great vintage often compared to the 1945 for the two have several things in common. First of all, nature did the pruning: frosts severely reducing the potential crop in 1945 and heavy rain washing away the pollen in 1961. Though there was persistent rain in July, there was a drought in August, followed by a very sunny September, which resulted in a harvest of small, thick-skinned, well-nourished grapes in turn producing deeply coloured, ripe but concentrated and tannic wines. Opinions vary, some sure of the '61s superiority, some -- as I do -- considering the '45s greater. The risk is that the tannin will outlive the fruit. Nevertheless some fabulous wines made." MB
Château Mouton-Rothschild--Vintage 1961
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
Levels: one top, one upper/top and two upper/mid shoulder; one bin soiled labels and one slightly corroded capsule.
Last tasted at two occasions with Christie's, "Bouquet with Mouton-like 'grace and fragrance', suberb, drinking well, at a Christie's charity dinner and, thanks to an astonishingly generous guest at a BYOB dinner at Christie's Park Avenue. Whether it had been brought 'double-decanted' -- back in the same bottle after rinsing -- I know not. It was fine, crisp, with a notably dry finish. Last tasted in Feb 1997 ***** but I would enjoy it -- if you can --while at its peak. However, it will not fade away for quite a time." MB
4 bottles per lot
A great vintage often compared to the 1945 for the two have several things in common. First of all, nature did the pruning: frosts severely reducing the potential crop in 1945 and heavy rain washing away the pollen in 1961. Though there was persistent rain in July, there was a drought in August, followed by a very sunny September, which resulted in a harvest of small, thick-skinned, well-nourished grapes in turn producing deeply coloured, ripe but concentrated and tannic wines. Opinions vary, some sure of the '61s superiority, some -- as I do -- considering the '45s greater. The risk is that the tannin will outlive the fruit. Nevertheless some fabulous wines made." MB
Château Mouton-Rothschild--Vintage 1961
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
Levels: one top, one upper/top and two upper/mid shoulder; one bin soiled labels and one slightly corroded capsule.
Last tasted at two occasions with Christie's, "Bouquet with Mouton-like 'grace and fragrance', suberb, drinking well, at a Christie's charity dinner and, thanks to an astonishingly generous guest at a BYOB dinner at Christie's Park Avenue. Whether it had been brought 'double-decanted' -- back in the same bottle after rinsing -- I know not. It was fine, crisp, with a notably dry finish. Last tasted in Feb 1997 ***** but I would enjoy it -- if you can --while at its peak. However, it will not fade away for quite a time." MB
4 bottles per lot