1961 Mouton-Rothschild, Pauillac

“This vintage came 12 years before Mouton Rothschild was promoted to First Growth in 1973, and it clearly shows that it was already more than equalling its future siblings. Still rich ruby in colour, a touch earthy on first aromatics but settles quickly in the glass, and as it opens it transforms into a gorgeous finessed glass with peony and crushed rose aroamtics, gentle cigar box, campfire, black truffle and sofly-spoken brambled fruits. Fine tannins remain engaged, and this wine still has plenty to say. The bottle that I had ex-cellar from Mouton at the end of 2023 was just a little more concentrated, so inevitably storage comes into play with bottles of this age, but it's a delight. Baron Philippe de Rothschild at the helm, with a stunning black, red and gold label by Georges Mathieu.” (03/2024)

“Huge, cedary, cassis, lead pencil, menthol-like aromas soared from the glass. The black/purple color revealed no signs of lightening or amber at the edge. Full-bodied, rich, and super-intense, this was a profound bottle of 1961 Mouton that would have stood up against the compelling 1959. (RP)” (12/1997)

“The 1961 Mouton-Rothschild is a legendary vintage. I encountered this twice before, though it is less frequently seen than other First Growths. Of course, much to Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s indignation, back then, Mouton-Rothschild was still a Second Growth. Their 1961 is slightly shaded by the venerated Latour or even their own 1945 Mouton-Rothschild – it doesn’t have the stellar reputation of those. That should take nothing from what I consider one of the standouts of that vintage. It was a pleasure to taste a bottle that had never moved from the cellar until this evening. The 1961 remains a deep color with remarkably little aging on the rim. The bouquet is a kaleidoscope of aromas: black fruit, pencil shavings, cigar humidor and then after an hour, more exotic aromas, shades of blue fruit and crushed violet join the chorus line. Yet, at no point could this wine come from anywhere else except Pauillac. Though I’ve never drunk them side-by-side, the palate has exquisite balance and possesses as much depth as the Latour. Certainly, there is more concentration and complexity than the 1961 Lafite-Rothschild, adorned as it is with enthralling purity of fruit tinged with wild mint towards its peacock’s tail finish. Magnificent! (NM)” (08/2024)

“A bottle that had been decanted 12 hours previously and, although there was the tiniest suggestion it has not been freshly opened, was absolutely stonking. So rich, sweet and concentrated yet with no dryness at all. Absolutely luscious. So rich, sweet and round - and actually livelier than the 1959 served alongside that had been decanted only a couple of hours before. 20/20 points (JR)” (06/2015)