1961's half century celebrated

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Purple pagers Al Buchanan and Maureen Downey have already given us their report on a great dinner at Le Bernardin in New York preceded by a tasting of 1961s, a celebration of their half-century. Below are my tasting notes on the same wines, preceded by my tasting notes on another recent tasting devoted to 1961 bordeaux organised by London wine merchants Roberson.

You will remember that 1961 was a truly exceptional vintage, dramatically shrunk by frost in late May, Merlot in particular. It is worth remembering that many properties had very yong vines, replanted after the savage 1956 winter freeze...