(Magnum) Last Tasted 6/92This wine proves the old adage that there are "no great wines, only great bottles." One would think that from magnum this would have been an enthralling tasting experience. While this bottle exhibited fine ripeness and plenty of fruit, it was one-dimensional, with a finish that displayed bitter tannins and a dried out, astringent taste. Although the color appeared sound, I suspect this bottle endured unfavorable storage conditions during its life, resulting in a damaged product. Other bottles of the 1961 Margaux have been fully mature wines that I consistently rated in the low nineties.

Destined to forever be in the shadow of the impeccable 1961 Palmer, the 1961 Chateau Margaux remains an attractive wine, if not one that reached its full potential. Now at 55 years of age, it has developed a dark mahogany core. The nose is attractive, but as I have noticed with respect to previous bottles, it does lack expected vivacity and intensity, yet pleasure can still be found in the vestiges of black fruit, cedar and cigar box; perhaps this bottle a little more Burgundy-like than I remember. The palate is nicely structured, straight-laced and correct, though there is plenty of freshness. It is quite a masculine wine with hints of dried blood emerging towards the foursquare finish. It will probably last a few years, but spare its blushes by not serving it against the 1961 Palmer. Tasted May 2016.