1961 & other 1960s bordeaux great growths - tasting notes

at a tasting saturday, i had an amazing experience.  in fact the whole tasting was a kind of nirvana of the wine world.

i was carefully warned before arriving that it was possible that 6 out of the 8 we were about to taste would be in poor condition and there was a possibility that none of those 6 would be drinkable.  it must be said that 6 of those were bordeaux made in the 60's. 

 in order of tasting we were served:

- chateau de pez 1995 - which was a kind of ''insurance policy''

- chateau latour 1967

- chateau latour 1966

- chateau beychevelle 1961

- chateau leoville-barton 1962

- chateau leoville-barton 1961

- chateau ducru-beaucaillou 1961

- moss wood margaret rive cabernet sauvignon 1994 - a ''plan b'', albeit an delicious one

to the utter amazement (or relief...) of our tutor, all wines were in perfect condition!  at last, after 3 years of studying about wine and being told that wines of such and such quality must acheive such and such greatness after ageing, i had the chance to experience for myself what the ''fuss is all about''.  and an experience it was! 

alas, like a drug addict on crack, i am now hooked!!  how can i ever go back to drink this infect ''piquette'' they serve us in most restaurant in hong kong???

here, i try to describe the chateau ducru-beaucaillou 1961 - described as the ''quintessential bordeaux'' and one of the best example of an aged bordeaux

appearance:

clear bright (yes, even after 46 years...) of pale yet rich intentsity tawny color at the core and a wide brown rim breaking and mahogany at the edge.  with several luscious legs at slipering along the bowl of my glass...

nose:

clean (alleluia!), of medium (+) intensity, fully developped with savoury and complex aromas of tobbaco, dark chocolate, spices, tar, cedarwood..

palate:

dry with low acidity, low tannins and medium (-) alcohol level.  a medium (-) body with medium (+) intensity of delicious flavours of humid tobacco with dark cholate laced with black pepper, a touch of cardamon and cedar, a slight savoury edge.  a long, delicious, and savoury finish.  silky and soft on the palate.

amazing quality, balance, and complexity.  a fantastic experience early in my wine career...