Tasting Notes
John Gilman 98
I have only had the pleasure to drink the 1961 vintage of Pichon-Lalande on a few occasions over the years and it has always been magical. A most recent bottle was tasted at Crystal Springs and was on the table with some absolute heavyweight examples of claret (mostly First Growths) from the decades of the 1940s and 1950s and held its own admirably, and the bottle at our vertical tasting was spot on as well. To my mind, this is the quintessential mature vintage of Pichon-Lalande, as it perfectly embodies the inherent elegance of this great wine, with both the nose and palate flawless examples of refined beauty. The bouquet soars from the glass in a complex constellation of pure cassis, tobacco leaf, a touch of Lafite-like meatiness, gravelly soil tones, an exotic touch of fresh herbs (from the merlot in the blend) and a topnote of cigar smoke. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, deep and laser-like in its focus, with a lovely core of fruit, just a touch of suave, backend tannin, perfect balance and grip and a very, very long, very complex and refined finish. This is Pichon-Lalande at its best and one of the best 1961s I have had the pleasure to drink. (Drink between 2019-2060)
